The faint glow of dawn began to creep over the horizon as Iskandar stood before the fire-damaged shed, his muscles aching from the night's efforts. The air was still heavy with the scent of smoke, though the immediate danger had passed. The villagers had gone back to their homes, relieved that the fire hadn't spread further, but for Iskandar, something much larger had been set into motion.
In the chaos of the fire, the Builder System had awakened. The chiming sound and the translucent screen that hovered before him were still fresh in his mind.
[Welcome to the Builder System]
The screen had appeared during the heat of the crisis, offering him a path to not only stop the damage but rebuild what had been lost. Now, with the fire gone, the system seemed more present than ever, its prompts urging him forward.
Quest: Repair the damaged shed.
Required Resources for Repair:
Wood: 20 unitsStone: 10 units
But before he could even think about how to explain the strange sense of clarity he'd felt, a warning had flashed before his eyes.
[System Notice]: Attempting to share information about the system with others will result in restrictions.
User cannot disclose the existence of the system to anyone.
Penalty: System Lockdown for 24 hours.
Iskandar exhaled, his breath slow and controlled as he processed the restrictions. The power to build, to create—it was something he'd always dreamed of wielding in this new world. But now, it came with a price: silence. He couldn't tell anyone. Not Selina. Not Alric.
The creak of nearby footsteps brought him back to the present. Selina stood nearby, wiping soot from her face, her expression one of both exhaustion and relief.
"You were incredible back there," she said, her voice soft but steady. "We could've lost everything."
Iskandar forced a smile, though his mind was racing. "It was nothing," he replied, careful not to reveal too much. "Everyone helped."
Selina studied him for a moment, her eyes narrowing slightly. "You saw what needed to be done before anyone else. Most people would've panicked, but you acted like you'd been doing this for years."
Iskandar felt a flicker of unease. She was right, of course. He had seen things no one else could, but that was because of the Builder System. A system he couldn't explain to anyone, no matter how much he might want to share the truth.
"I guess I just got lucky," Iskandar muttered, trying to deflect the conversation. "Maybe I've picked up a thing or two."
Selina gave him a long, searching look, but eventually nodded. "Lucky or not, it saved the village."
Iskandar glanced back at the shed. It had been weakened by the fire, its roof partially collapsed and the walls scorched. The structure wouldn't last much longer without repairs, and his Builder System was already showing him the steps he needed to take.
"You have wood and stone in the village?" Iskandar asked, gesturing to the materials needed.
Selina nodded, a slight smile tugging at her lips. "We don't have much, but there should be enough in the storehouse. Do you think you can fix it?"
Iskandar's mind raced with blueprints and construction details provided by the system. The steps to repair the shed were already laid out clearly before him, but he couldn't explain how or why. Still, he knew he could do it.
"I'll do my best," he said, giving her a confident nod.
The hours that followed were a blur of activity. Iskandar worked through the night with Selina by his side, gathering materials and preparing for the repairs. The system's guidance was clear, showing him every detail of the shed's construction, down to the last nail.
[Building Process Initiated: Repair the Shed]
Step 1: Reinforce the damaged beams
Step 2: Replace the burned roof slats
Step 3: Secure the walls
Iskandar's hands moved almost instinctively as he lifted the first beam into place. The weight of the wood was familiar—real—and yet, there was something different about the way the system guided him. Every angle, every placement was calculated and precise, as if the system had mapped the structure entirely and provided the most efficient method of repair.
Progress: 15% Complete.
The repairs were slow, deliberate. The first step was to reinforce the beams that had been weakened by the fire. Iskandar used the fresh wood he had gathered to replace the damaged sections, hammering the beams into place with a steady rhythm. Each strike of the hammer echoed through the night, but it wasn't enough to distract him from the system's constant feedback.
Progress: 30% Complete. Beams reinforced.
Selina watched him closely, occasionally offering assistance as they worked. She was quick with her hands, resourceful in a way that made Iskandar appreciate her even more. She didn't shy away from hard work, and her calm demeanor kept the mood light despite the exhaustion they both felt.
"Where did you learn all this?" Selina asked as she passed him another plank of wood.
Iskandar hesitated for a moment. He had always been good with his hands, but in this world, the system had amplified his abilities. He couldn't exactly tell her about it, though. The restriction still loomed over him.
"I've worked on a few things before," he said, keeping his answer vague.
Selina raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. "Well, whatever you've worked on, it's paying off."
As the night wore on, the repairs continued. The system provided updates at regular intervals, keeping Iskandar focused and on track.
Progress: 50% Complete. Roof slats replaced.
Next came the roof. The fire had burned large holes in the slats, and several sections needed to be replaced entirely. Iskandar climbed up, feeling the instability under his feet as he carefully removed the damaged pieces. The system guided him, showing him the most efficient way to balance the weight and distribute the new slats.
Selina handed him each piece of wood as he worked, her eyes occasionally glancing up at him with a mix of admiration and curiosity. Iskandar could feel the questions building in her mind, but she didn't voice them. Instead, she worked alongside him in silence, letting the rhythm of the repairs fill the air.
Progress: 75% Complete. Roof secured.
The final step was to secure the walls. Some of the outer planks had been badly scorched, and the system had highlighted the areas that needed reinforcement. Iskandar worked quickly but carefully, replacing the burned planks one by one. His hands moved with purpose, each nail driven into the wood with precision.
Progress: 90% Complete. Securing walls...
By the time the sun began to rise, casting a soft glow over the village, the shed was nearly complete. Iskandar wiped the sweat from his brow, exhaustion pulling at his muscles, but a sense of satisfaction filled him.
The system chimed in his mind, its calm voice offering the final update.
Progress: 100% Complete. Shed fully repaired.
Experience Gained: +100 XP
Next Blueprint Unlocked: Basic Shelter
The shed, once a fire-damaged wreck, now stood strong and secure. Iskandar stepped back, admiring the structure. It wasn't perfect—there were still signs of the fire's damage in places—but it was far better than before. The villagers would be able to use it for years to come.
Beside him, Selina stared at the shed, her eyes wide with awe. "I don't believe it," she whispered. "You really did it."
Iskandar smiled, though fatigue tugged at his limbs. "It wasn't easy. But it felt... right."
Selina nodded, a small smile on her lips. "Alim could use someone like you, Iskandar. Someone who knows how to build."
As the first light of dawn spread across the village, Iskandar felt a quiet sense of purpose settle over him. This world, this village—it wasn't what he had expected, but it was a new beginning. The Builder System had shown him the way, but it was his hands that had done the work.
And with Selina and Alric's trust growing, he knew that this was only the start of something bigger.