The first rays of dawn broke over the skyline, casting a dull orange glow over the city. From the top floor of the secured office building, Adam Reyes peered through the broken windows. The streets below were eerily quiet, littered with abandoned vehicles and scattered debris.
"Commander," Captain said, approaching with a crisp salute. "The squad has completed an inventory of the building. Limited supplies found: some canned goods, water bottles, and a few tools. No weapons or ammunition."
Adam frowned. He had hoped for more, but the food and water would sustain the squad for now.
"Good work," Adam said. "Let's make this place more secure. Block entry points, set up observation posts, and establish a fallback position on the second floor."
"Yes, sir," Captain replied.
---
The soldiers moved with practiced efficiency, dragging desks, filing cabinets, and chairs to fortify the ground floor windows. Heavy furniture was used to block the stairwell leading to the upper floors. Despite their summoned nature, their professionalism and discipline were undeniable.
Adam observed quietly, his respect for their competence growing. These weren't ordinary soldiers—they operated like a well-oiled machine, following his commands with precision.
> "Commander, gold: 5350. XP: 155/200."
The system's updates flickered in Adam's vision as he monitored the progress. His next goal was clear: reach Level 2. Unlocking the Wheel of Fortune might provide the tools they needed to expand their operations.
---
By noon, the building was as secure as they could make it. Two soldiers stood as sentries on the top floor, their sharp eyes scanning the surrounding streets for any movement.
"Commander," Scout called from his post. "We've got movement. North side, about fifty meters out."
Adam joined him, his heart tightening. A small group of zombies—five, maybe six—shambled down the street, their decayed forms jerking unnaturally with each step.
"They haven't noticed us," Scout said.
Adam considered the situation. This was an opportunity to gain gold and experience points while the zombies were isolated.
"We engage," Adam decided. "Maintain precision and conserve ammo."
---
The squad took their positions, rifles trained on the approaching zombies. Adam knelt by a window, his finger resting on the trigger.
"Fire when ready," he ordered.
The soldiers fired in controlled bursts, their rounds striking with pinpoint accuracy. The zombies dropped one by one, their grotesque forms collapsing onto the pavement. Adam lined up his own shot, his Basic Shooting Skill guiding his aim, and squeezed the trigger. The recoil jolted his shoulder as his bullet struck true.
> "Gold collected: +300. XP gained: +45."
The system's notifications appeared briefly before fading. His total resources updated seamlessly: gold now at 5650, XP at 200/200.
> "Level Up! Current Level: 2."
"Feature Unlocked: Wheel of Fortune."
A new option appeared in his system interface. The Wheel of Fortune glowed faintly, its sections marked with mysterious icons.
"Commander?" Captain asked, noticing Adam's focused expression.
Adam shook his head. "Good work, everyone. Stand down and rest. We'll evaluate our next steps soon."
---
Later that evening, Adam sat in a quiet corner of the top floor, the system interface hovering before him. The Wheel of Fortune beckoned, its promise of rewards both tempting and uncertain.
> "Congratulations on unlocking the Wheel of Fortune! You are eligible for one free spin."
Adam smirked. "Let's see what you've got."
The wheel spun rapidly, its sections blurring into streaks of light. As it slowed, Adam's anticipation grew. Finally, it stopped on an icon resembling a stockpile of ammunition.
> "Reward: 250 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition."
Adam exhaled, satisfied. The freebie spin had provided a practical and much-needed resource.
"This'll help," he muttered, storing the rounds with the squad's weapons.
---
The city fell into darkness, but Adam's resolve burned brighter than ever. With the system's resources and his squad's skill, they had taken the first steps toward survival.
But he knew this was just the beginning. The real challenges—and the real enemies—were still out there.
"Tomorrow," Adam said quietly, gripping his rifle. "We take the next step."