Xiang Yue sat cross-legged in the main lobby of Serenity Haven, her small hands hovering over the glowing holographic screen. She could feel the growing pulse of the system, like a living entity that thrived on her energy and decisions. With Liu Yan resting in the guest quarters, she turned her focus to the map, its glowing dots revealing a cruel truth: the world outside her sanctuary was still a nightmare.
Red dots—monsters—continued to swarm the nearby areas, their movements erratic and aggressive. But what caught her attention was a cluster of faint yellow dots to the west. Survivors. Five of them.
"A group," she murmured. The system's notification confirmed it:
"Mission Update: Rescue additional survivors. Reward: Unlock Tier 1 Training Facility."
Her eyebrows lifted slightly at the reward. A training facility could help the survivors defend themselves. If Liu Yan was any indication, people in this world were woefully unprepared for the monsters lurking outside.
Xiang Yue rose to her feet, adjusting her tattered dress. She summoned her staff—a sleek, glowing weapon of unknown origin that felt natural in her hand—and stepped toward the edge of the safe zone.
"Let's see what this group is made of."
The ruins stretched endlessly as Xiang Yue moved westward. Her steps were light, almost silent, as she navigated the broken streets and collapsed buildings. The sky remained a dull gray, and the air carried a faint metallic tang, a reminder of the rift that had torn the world apart.
She soon heard the sounds of battle—shouts, the clash of metal, and the guttural roars of monsters. Quickening her pace, she arrived at the scene: five survivors surrounded by three Rift Beasts.
The survivors were clearly struggling. A burly man wielded a makeshift axe, while a younger woman tried to shield two children behind her. Another man, lanky and pale, hurled rocks at the beasts, his face twisted in desperation.
"Hold the line!" the burly man shouted. "We can't let them get the kids!"
One of the beasts lunged, its claws swiping dangerously close to the children. The woman screamed, throwing herself in front of them.
Xiang Yue acted before the beast could strike. She raised her hand, and a wall of ice shot up between the monster and its prey. The creature crashed into the frozen barrier, snarling in frustration.
The group froze, their eyes darting toward Xiang Yue as she stepped into view.
"Who—" the burly man began, but she silenced him with a wave of her hand.
"Stay back," she said, her voice calm but commanding.
The Rift Beasts turned their attention to her, their glowing red eyes narrowing. One roared, leaping toward her with terrifying speed.
Xiang Yue didn't flinch. She spun her staff in a graceful arc, summoning a torrent of fire that engulfed the beast mid-air. It let out a shriek before disintegrating into ash.
The second beast charged, its claws glowing faintly with an ominous energy. This one was faster, smarter. Xiang Yue smirked, a rare flicker of amusement crossing her delicate features. She slammed her staff into the ground, and the earth beneath the beast erupted in jagged spikes of stone, impaling it instantly.
The final beast hesitated, its instincts telling it to retreat. But Xiang Yue was faster. She flicked her wrist, and a blade of wind sliced cleanly through the creature, reducing it to nothing more than dust.
The silence that followed was deafening.
The burly man stared at her, his axe hanging limply at his side. The younger woman pulled the children closer, her wide eyes filled with equal parts awe and fear.
"Are you all right?" Xiang Yue asked, her gaze sweeping over the group.
"You… you saved us," the man stammered.
"Yes," she replied simply. "You're injured, and this area isn't safe. Follow me."
The man hesitated, glancing at the others. "Who are you? And how did you…?"
"My name is Xiang Yue," she said. "I have a safe place—Serenity Haven. No monsters can enter there. If you want to live, come with me. If not, stay here and take your chances."
Her bluntness left no room for argument. After a moment, the man nodded. "We'll follow you."
The group's reaction upon entering Serenity Haven was much the same as Liu Yan's. The children gasped, their faces lighting up at the sight of the lush greenery and sparkling fountains. The burly man, who introduced himself as Zhang Wei, could only shake his head in disbelief.
"This… this is incredible," he muttered.
"It's safe," Xiang Yue said. "That's all that matters." She turned to the holographic screen, which displayed a new notification:
"Survivors registered: 5. Reward: Tier 1 Training Facility unlocked."
The ground near the center of the resort shimmered, and a small building began to materialize. Its design was simple but sturdy, with a sign above the entrance that read "Training Hall."
Zhang Wei's jaw dropped. "How did you—"
"Don't ask questions you don't want the answers to," Xiang Yue said, cutting him off. "You'll find weapons and practice dummies inside. Use them. You'll need to get stronger if you want to survive."
She turned to Liu Yan, who had emerged from the guest quarters, looking much better after some rest. "Liu Yan, show them around. Make sure they understand the rules."
He nodded, his expression serious. "Got it."
As the group began to explore their new surroundings, Xiang Yue returned to her seat in the lobby. The system's voice echoed in her mind:
"Population milestone reached: 6. New missions unlocked. Upgrade Sanctuary defenses or expand territory?"
Xiang Yue leaned back, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully. The sanctuary was growing, but so were the threats outside. If she wanted Serenity Haven to become humanity's last hope, she would need to keep moving forward—no matter the cost.