[System Alert! Someone is dangerously approaching your base.]
Aaron spat out water in surprise. Yet, the safety timer was still active. He activated the countdown [18:27:05]. His eyes widened: it couldn't be a wild monster… maybe a human?! It was either very good news or very bad. After all, people in desperate situations were capable of anything, even the worst. The young man was lost in thought when a sudden bite brought him sharply back to reality.
Aaron: Damn! That hurts! Why did you do that, Patch?!
The rodent spat, looking disgusted.
Patch: Mr. Patch, and I've been talking to you for at least five minutes…
Aaron: Couldn't you have found a… less painful way? Fine, I'm listening now.
Patch: So I was saying, what are you waiting for to get to the base! Didn't you get the signal? We're at war, buddy!
Aaron: In case you haven't noticed, the base is an hour's walk from here, so unless you have a teleportation machine…
Patch: My god… who gave me such a novice! You didn't check your base settings, did you?
Aaron: Let's just say I didn't get a tutorial, okay! Thanks for the help, but you could be a bit nicer. System, activate.
[Base: 137][Appearance: Lush Meadow][Owner: Aaron Herkens][Zone Energy: 10/10][Zone Size: 10 m²][Zone Upgrades]
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[Zone Skill] Teleportation: Teleports the base owner to its center. Consumes 5 energy.[Zone Data] Fallow land
Nervously, he clicked the teleport button. His monster barely had time to grab his wrist before the two of them were whisked away at breakneck speed. The wind whistled in their ears, their stomachs churned, and streaks of green light flashed across their vision. Then everything stopped, and Aaron collapsed onto his knees in the grass. Patch's fur was bristled, and his limbs trembled.
Patch: I hate that. Really, if you could warn me next time you use this skill… And if—
Aaron raised a hand to shush Patch.
Aaron: We'll discuss that later. We have something more important right now.
Aaron looked up. Standing in front of his zone was a young man in his twenties. His blond hair was dusty and unkempt. He jumped at the sight of the duo, tightening his grip on his spear.
Stranger: Damn! Where did you come from?!Aaron: A true novice… you're standing on my base. I just used a teleportation spell. Nothing complicated.Stranger: I… I didn't know. I saw the light and thought… maybe there'd be something interesting here.
Patch: Yeah, basically you were just looking to steal.
Stranger: Wait… your monster can talk?Patch: Yes, and I bite, so hands off!
A creature resembling a fluffy wolf pup emerged from behind the stranger. It growled, positioning itself between its master and Patch.
Stranger: Mollie, calm down, it's fine.
The little beast tilted its head before returning to its master.
Stranger: I'm Max Skylder, and I promise I mean no harm…
Aaron: I'm Aaron Herkens. I hope we can get along.
He shook Max's hand. The evening air and tall grass created a calming atmosphere. Aaron immediately sensed that Max wasn't a threat—maybe even a potential ally.
They talked for several minutes, going over what they had learned or found.
Max: Alright, I think that's it. I'll take my leave, still have plenty to do. We'll talk again tomorrow at the same time, if that works?Aaron: Count on me.
Max was leaving when he turned back.
Max: I forgot to ask, but what's your profession?Aaron: I got the Peasant card, but haven't activated it yet. And you?Max: Not great… I got the Tailor card. I'll let you know if I find seeds.Aaron: Thanks, Max.
The little fluffy ball followed its master into the dusk, disappearing. The wind made the tall grass ripple around Aaron, who lingered a moment to watch the meadow before turning to his base. Surprisingly, the artificial sky had darker hues, showing that there would be a day/night cycle here as well. That reassured him slightly: after all, it would be hard to sleep under a constant sun.
Aaron decided to activate his Peasant card. Three interfaces appeared before him:
Choose a bonus related to the Peasant profession:
[Green Thumb]: Gives a 5% chance of obtaining a bonus harvest[Moist Soil]: Gives a 10% chance that the soil remains damp the next day[Plant Expert]: Surrounding plants are displayed on the minimap if you have already harvested one
Without hesitation, he clicked Moist Soil. For now, he had no way to carry water. This bonus would save him unnecessary trips and wasted days.
After that, he opened the community chat.
[Welcome to the community chat. Please remain polite and courteous, or face sanctions. Here you can interact with the 999 closest players. Exchange resources freely.]
[You have a friend request] + Max Skylder
He accepted the request and checked the current trade offers: various mushrooms, rudimentary weapons and tools, roots, stones… and a strange bone? He sighed—apparently no one had seeds.
Aaron watched the chat messages scroll by rapidly:
Peter: Anyone found water? I'm dying of thirst!Spark: Haha, too bad, figure it out, or offer something interesting.Petitpois: Has anyone seen my mom and dad?Blusky: I think I just broke my leg…
AaronH: Hey everyone. I'm looking for seeds to farm. I can trade roots, mushrooms, stones, or flint.WoodGuy: Sorry, no seeds for now.Spark: Seeds for what? Don't tell me this guy got the Peasant job. Haha, too bad.
Aaron sighed. The chat was a real waste of time. He closed the window and checked the crafting list. Three projects caught his eye: a flint spear, a stone pickaxe, and a hoe. Instructions were simple: combine a root handle with the appropriate tip. Luckily, he already had all the materials.
In an instant, he merged them and received the three tool cards. He took the hoe and began turning over a section of his meadow. The damp soil slid beneath the blade, releasing the scent of moss and freshly upturned roots. Tomorrow, he would focus on getting seeds to plant.
Exhausted by the day's events, he opened one of the canned foods. A metallic, cold meat smell reached his nose. Unappetizing, but enough to fill his stomach. He swallowed it in one bite.
Patch: That really looks disgusting… you humans eat some strange things.
Patch had just devoured a handful of earthworms and, speaking, had positioned himself facing Aaron.
Aaron: I return the compliment… it's really disgusting…
He had to fight the urge to vomit. Afterward, he curled up in a corner. Shivers ran through his body. The grass was damp, and the wind tickled his back. Despite everything, he fell asleep.
The next morning, Aaron felt something soft in his arms. Opening his eyes, he saw Patch sleeping, his gentle, warm breaths strangely comforting. He smiled despite the fatigue and softly stroked the rodent's back.
Morning sunlight pierced the clouds, casting golden rays over the meadow. Aaron stretched, still groggy from sleep. He took a sip of water and opened the community chat. Was there anything interesting this fine morning?
Elephantrose: We're all gonna die, damn it, 2 minutes left and protection ends…Plumedor: Calm down, if you managed to make one or two weapons it should be fine… I think.OlivierL: Good timing, I'm selling a spear!Spark: Bet that guy clicked craft twice and now wants to sell his junk… pathetic.
Aaron realized for a moment the situation he was in. In one minute and forty seconds, this brief peace would vanish.
Aaron: Patch, wake up!Patch: Five more minutes… I'm exhausted.
The animal rolled over. Aaron shook him.
Aaron: Patch, protection!
He immediately stood, tail tapping the ground. Aaron grabbed his spear, watching the seconds tick by.
[The first monsters will appear at any moment. Stay alert! For surviving until now, you receive 10 Spirit Shards. These shards can be used to buy a booster. Quests have just been unlocked, congratulations to all!]