The system didn't rush him.
It didn't shout warnings or force decisions.
It waited.
Evan sat on the RV's bench, breathing slowly, listening to the chaos outside. Every few seconds, something heavy hit the pavement. Metal screeched. Glass shattered.
He focused inward.
A semi-transparent interface unfolded in front of him.
[Bastion Status]
Structural Integrity: Low
Defense Layer: None
Energy Core: Dormant
Mobility: Operational
Living Systems: Basic
At the bottom, a single line pulsed faintly.
[Available Modification Authority: 1]
He understood instinctively: this was important.
He selected it.
Three options appeared.
Option 1: Reinforced Structural Plating (Basic)
— Requires: Steel-based materials
— Effect: Improves hull integrity and impact resistance
Option 2: Salvage Optimization Module (Basic)
— Requires: Mechanical components
— Effect: Increases material yield from dismantled objects
Option 3: Interface Synchronization Node (Locked)
— Requirements not met
Evan frowned.
He didn't hesitate long.
Survival came before growth.
"Option one," he said quietly.
The system responded instantly.
[Reinforced Structural Plating selected.]
[Materials required: Steel — insufficient.]
Of course.
Evan exhaled and looked outside again.
The nearest cars were wrecked, twisted metal scattered across the lot. Steel everywhere.
Dangerous steel.
Another scream echoed—closer this time.
Evan grabbed a crowbar from under the sink.
If this system was real—and everything suggested it was—then the RV was his lifeline.
And lifelines needed armor.
He opened the RV door and stepped into the apocalypse.