Alex stood before the towering structure of the "Settlement Core," still trying to process the reality of being transported into an apocalypse. The faint hum of energy pulsed through the metallic walls, giving everything around him an eerie, futuristic glow. The mouse-like guide—small, silver-furred, and glowing with faint blue circuitry—hovered beside him.
"Are you ready?" the creature asked, its voice high-pitched yet strangely authoritative.
Alex exhaled. "Let's do it."
The moment he agreed, a circular platform rose from the floor. Upon it materialized a colossal, holographic wheel divided into dozens of glowing sections—each labeled with cryptic symbols and item names Alex couldn't understand.
"Spin the Wheel of Fate," the mouse squeaked ceremoniously.
"A new manager must begin with his first stroke of luck."
Alex stepped forward and placed his hand on the wheel. The surface felt warm—almost alive. When he pushed, the wheel spun rapidly, creating a spiral of multicolored lights that reflected across the chamber.
Finally, with a metallic click, it stopped.
A golden badge lit up at the top:
"POWER ACQUIRED: TOMB OF CLONE"
The mouse froze. Then, unbelievably, its tiny paws shook with excitement.
"Your… your luck is unbelievable!" it stammered. "You obtained that?!"
Alex blinked. "Is it that good?"
"That good?" The mouse almost squealed. "This power is extremely rare, even among higher civilizations! The Tomb of Clone allows you to create perfect physical bodies—clones. Instead of summoning people from your original world like you were summoned here, you can transfer only their consciousness into these artificial bodies. Even if these clones die, the person will resurrect safely."
Alex's eyes widened.
That meant—
He could bring people here… without truly risking their lives.
A civilization could be built without sacrificing innocent individuals.
A force could be raised—trained—without irreversible loss.
Ideas erupted in his mind like wildfire, but he controlled his expression.
He wasn't ready to reveal his thoughts.
The mouse continued enthusiastically, unaware of Alex's hidden contemplation. "Come! You must see the settlement now."
⸻
The Control Chamber
They walked into the central hall, where the walls were lined with holographic screens suspended in midair. Some displayed map grids. Others showed energy levels, structural condition, and unreadable futuristic metrics.
But one screen in particular stood out.
It displayed a simple login page—one he knew intimately.
Earth's Internet.
Alex stepped closer. "This… connects to my world?"
"Yes!" the mouse said proudly. "This system allows you to access Earth's social media platforms, websites, communications, and even video content. You may recruit individuals, gather knowledge, or monitor your world. This also supports your civilization's foundation."
Alex's earlier idea solidified into certainty.
He could choose people himself.
He could design his civilization.
He could bring in talent, skill, and knowledge without risking real deaths.
This changed everything.
⸻
The Rooms of the Settlement
"Follow me," the mouse said, scurrying toward a glowing corridor.
The hallway was sleek and metallic, illuminated by soft white strips of light along the floor. Every footstep Alex made echoed faintly.
1. The Private Room
The first door slid open with a gentle hiss.
Inside was a high-tech suite:
A levitating, cushioned bed that adjusted its shape instantly as he touched it.
Translucent glass walls that could switch into opaque privacy mode.
A wardrobe system that generated tactical clothing based on environment.
A desk with a projection console capable of forming screens and virtual keyboards in midair.
Alex walked inside, stunned.
This was luxury far beyond Earth's technology.
"This is your living chamber," the mouse explained. "The Manager must remain in peak condition. Resting here recovers your mental fatigue much faster than normal."
2. The Clone Chamber
The next room was completely different.
Circular pods lined the walls—coffin-like, sleek, and silver. Each pod had blue indicators along its edges, with faint mist escaping from ventilation lines.
"This is the Clone Room created by your new ability," the mouse said. "Each pod can generate one clone body. As long as you have blueprint capacity, you can create multiple types of bodies for consciousness transfer."
Alex touched one of the pods. It felt cold—sterile—yet strangely comforting.
"So… when I summon someone from Earth, they'll inhabit a body like this?"
"Correct. Their real bodies will remain safely in your world. Here, only their awareness arrives."
Alex nodded slowly.
This was beyond powerful—it was revolutionary.
3. The Personnel Quarters
The third room opened into a large dormitory.
Rows of shining, capsule-like beds were arranged neatly. Each bed had internal lighting and holo-screens for personal use. A soft warmth radiated from the floor, and the air had a clean, filtered scent—like a futuristic medical facility.
"These are the resting quarters for your summoned personnel," the guide said. "As your civilization grows, this area will expand automatically."
Alex imagined dozens—hundreds—of people living here one day. Scientists, soldiers, builders, engineers… all working in harmony to build something new.
"Yes," he whispered. "This could work."
⸻
The Distribution Center
They arrived at a reinforced chamber with robotic arms hanging from the ceiling. A transparent barrier separated Alex from floating holographic crates rotating above a console.
"This is the Distribution Center," the mouse explained. "You may purchase supplies and enhancements using points."
Three glowing icons appeared:
"Food Supply Crate Lv.1 – 20 Points"
Simple nourishment for your people.
"Combat Supply Crate Lv.1 – 100 Points"
Weapons, ammunition, and protective gear.
"Gene Modification Crate Lv.1 – 500 Points"
Biological upgrades that can completely change a person's abilities.
Alex stared at the last one, stunned.
"Five hundred points…? That's insane."
"Of course!" the mouse replied. "Gene modifications are extremely valuable. They can increase strength, speed, endurance, regeneration—and more. But the system cannot allow reckless distribution."
"How many points do I have?"
"One hundred fifty, as your starting bonus."
Alex nodded thoughtfully.
Just enough to buy food and a single combat crate.
Not enough for gene modifications.
"How do I earn more?" he asked.
"There are three methods," the mouse explained while counting on its tiny fingers.
"First, completing system missions.
Second, discovering hidden missions scattered throughout this world.
Third, spinning the daily lucky wheel—though the rewards vary."
Alex memorized it all.
⸻
Outside the Settlement
A transparent gate slid open, and the outside air hit Alex immediately.
Cold. Damp. Metallic with death.
They stepped into a dense forest surrounding the settlement like a natural fortress. Tall trees—twisted and dark—loomed overhead, their bark scarred as if clawed by monsters. Vines curled around the branches, some glowing faint neon green, as if touched by mutation.
Birds?
None.
Silence ruled.
The forest felt like a predator watching them.
Ahead, a cracked path stretched outward, leading deeper into the apocalyptic landscape. Broken cars half-buried in dirt, collapsed buildings devoured by vines, and flickering streetlights barely hanging on life.
And then—
A guttural groan.
Alex turned his head sharply.
Shambling from behind a broken signpost emerged a zombie. Its flesh was grey, peeling, and riddled with dark veins. Its eyes were empty hollows of hunger.
More movement.
Another zombie crawled out of a crushed vehicle.
Two more limped from behind a collapsed gas station.
Alex's heart hammered.
This was no game.
No simulation.
This world was real.
As he stared at the forest and the ruins blending together, the atmosphere felt like a survival game brought to life—but deadlier. The wind carried the faint smell of rust, wet soil, and rot.
The mouse hovered beside him calmly.
"These are low-level infected," it said casually. "The environment around your settlement will be your starting zone. Dangerous—but manageable."
Alex took a deep breath, slowly regaining control.
"So this is where my civilization begins."
"Yes," the mouse said. "Build, expand, survive. The path ahead will be dangerous, but you have potential."
Alex looked back at the settlement:
The glowing walls, the clone pods, the access to Earth's Internet…
A blank slate waiting for his command.
He clenched his fists.
A new world.
A chance to build a civilization from nothing.
Power beyond human imagination.
And an apocalypse that wanted him dead.
"Then," he whispered, eyes sharp, "let's start building."