For two days, all Han Xiao could sense was darkness. But as time passed, his mind began to clear. He was aware of nothing around him, but he could feel his body slowly forming—arms, legs, fingers—all taking shape as if being moulded from nothing.
A thick, fluid substance surrounded him. It was odd but also oddly comforting, like being wrapped in a warm, weightless blanket. Bit by bit, he became more aware, sensing a rhythmic beat, soft touches, and distant murmurs that gradually made sense.
By the 25th day, clarity hit him like a switch flipping on. The pieces came together—he was in some kind of capsule, submerged in a strange liquid. The realization sharpened everything. The liquid wasn't just a random sensation; it was part of his rebirth, the medium transforming him into something new. He didn't know what was waiting on the other side, but he felt a deep certainty that this was just the beginning.
On the 30th day, the liquid drained away, and Han Xiao stepped out, fully formed, into a dimly lit room. His eyes adjusted quickly, taking in the steel walls and faint hum of machinery. Then, a sound caught his attention—a soft mechanical whir. "Welcome," a voice said from the shadows.
Han Xiao turned, eyes narrowing. A robot stepped forward, its metallic frame reflecting the sparse light. "I am No. 5, caretaker of Shelter No. 222," it said. "The previous administrator has been...absent for quite some time. This shelter needs a new leader."
No. 5 handed him a sleek, futuristic bracelet. "This will verify your identity," the robot explained. "If your DNA matches the previous owner, you will be recognized as the new administrator of Shelter No. 222."
Han Xiao slipped the bracelet on. A blue screen appeared, flickering to life with a series of numbers and symbols. Then, he felt a small prick on his wrist. Moments later, the screen displayed in bold letters:
**DNA Match: 100%**
**Name: Han Xiao**
**Job: Vault 222 Administrator**
**Level: 1**
**Attributes:**
- Strength: 8
- Physique: 8
- Agility: 8
- Perception: 8
- Intelligence: 10
Han Xiao studied the screen, feeling the weight of his new role settle in. Administrator. He could work with that.
Curious, he glanced at No. 5. "What's the average for these attributes?"
The robot's eyes flickered. "Well, for the average human, a solid 5." It added, almost cheerfully, "You've got a bit of an edge."
Han Xiao smirked, amused by the robot's attempt at humour. It was rare for machines to have personality, and this one seemed to have a streak of it. It reminded him of an assistant he once had, back when he was the head of the Han family—loyal, a little quirky, and useful.
"You know what," Han Xiao said, "I'm going to call you Tian, after my old assistant."
The robot's lights blinked in acknowledgement. "Tian," it repeated in a pleasant tone. "I like it."
Settling in, Han Xiao turned to Tian. "Tell me about this shelter and what's out there."
Tian nodded. "I became functional about ten days ago, so my knowledge is limited to the shelter's database. As your administrator privileges grow, more information will be accessible to you."
The robot's voice took on a more serious tone. "Two hundred years ago, in the Golden Age year 123, a war broke out on our world, Luminara. Both sides unleashed everything they had—nuclear, biological, and genetic weapons. It lasted only three years, but that was enough to destroy everything. The surface was turned into a wasteland, and a nuclear winter nearly wiped out what was left."
Han Xiao listened carefully, his expression unreadable. The story of destruction and survival was nothing new to him; he'd seen his share of chaos before. Still, this was a different world, and knowledge was power.
Tian continued, "Civilization never fully recovered. The extreme use of biological and genetic weapons caused a massive evolution in the ecosystem, giving rise to mutants. Some are weak, but others, like the Crunchers and Creepers, are true monsters—corrupted beyond recognition."
The robot's eyes dimmed slightly as if recalling a memory. "These creatures hide during the day in ruins, sewers, and subways. At night, they come out to hunt, making survival outside the shelter a constant challenge."
Han Xiao processed the information without a hint of shock. His calm reaction suggested he'd dealt with worse—or perhaps he simply expected this level of chaos. Either way, he had a world to conquer, and this was only the beginning.