As the sun's golden rays peeked through the forest canopy, Phoenix stirred awake, stretching his sore muscles. His small makeshift camp had served him well, but it was time to move on. After a quick meal of bread and water, he checked his watch for news, switching first to the regional communication channel.
The same desperate cries echoed from days before.
"Anyone out there? Please, we're running out of food!"
"A group of monsters is near the east ruins. Avoid it at all costs!"
"Help! We're under attack—send backup!"
Phoenix sighed, shaking his head. They're still barely hanging on.
Switching to the global channel, he was immediately bombarded with a flood of messages. The stories ranged from tales of survival to pleas for help.
"I found a group—safe for now. Message me if you want to join!"
"We've confirmed safe zones exist! Look for the sanctuaries with NPCs and shops!"
"Does anyone know how to find wiring? I'll trade anything for it!"
A particular message caught Phoenix's attention.
"Sanctuaries have been discovered worldwide. These safe zones are inhabited by both players and NPCs. Shops are available to trade resources and gear. Stay alert and seek shelter!"
He leaned back, his mind racing. Safe zones with shops? That's… promising. If they're real, I might finally find a place to regroup and plan.
Continuing to scroll, another message stood out.
"Government Announcement: We are in the process of establishing secure strongholds to serve as shelters for all players. Do not panic. We are recruiting survivors to help build and maintain these safe zones. Stay united!"
Phoenix chuckled bitterly. "The government's finally trying to fix this mess, huh?" he muttered. Still, he couldn't deny the flicker of hope in his chest. A stronghold backed by the government might be safer than wandering alone.
Determined to find a sanctuary, Phoenix decided to dismantle his camp. Using his Dismantle skill, he took apart the wooden planks and gathered the materials into his watch's storage. With everything packed up, he ventured toward the outskirts of the ruined city, keeping an eye out for signs of life.
Hours of walking through dense woods and overgrown ruins led him to a startling sight. Rising above the trees was a wall made entirely of stacked shipping containers—at least four layers high. From a distance, it resembled a fortress.
"A loot container?" Phoenix mused, squinting. But as he drew closer, he realized it was much more. The towering wall had guardhouses perched at the top, and movement could be seen from the makeshift watchtowers.
"This is… a shelter," he whispered, both relieved and cautious.
As he approached the gate, a voice barked out from above.
"Halt! Who are you, and what do you want?"
Phoenix looked up to see a man in a soldier's uniform pointing a sleek, futuristic rifle at him.
"I'm a survivor," Phoenix called out, raising his hands to show he meant no harm. "I've been wandering for days. I'm just looking for shelter."
The guard studied him for a moment before signaling to someone inside. A loud creak echoed as the massive steel gates slowly opened. Phoenix stepped forward cautiously, his heart pounding.
The sight that greeted him inside was like a different world. Wooden houses lined the streets, and people bustled about, carrying supplies, fixing structures, and trading goods. What surprised him most, however, was the NPCs. Unlike most games where NPCs were predictable and limited to scripted interactions, these NPCs were indistinguishable from the players. They had their own thoughts, desires, and even goals. Some NPCs were trading at the marketplace, while others worked alongside players, hammering wood or carrying supplies.
Phoenix stared in awe. They look and act just like us… like real people.
A guard standing near the entrance stopped him, a stern look on his face. "Name?"
"Phoenix," he replied.
The guard nodded and began listing the rules of the shelter. "Listen up. These are the rules here, and you'd better follow them:
No killing.No stealing.No assaulting others, whether physically or verbally.Respect the chain of command.
Breaking any of these rules will result in severe punishment—either death by firing squad or immediate exile. Got it?"
Phoenix nodded, the weight of the rules sinking in. "Got it."
The guard relaxed slightly. "Good. We don't tolerate troublemakers here."
As Phoenix looked around, his mind began to race. They must have missions in a place like this. If I can earn their trust, maybe I can gain reputation or rewards. It's worth checking out.
He turned back to the guard. "Where can I find the head of this shelter? And are there any missions I can take to help out?"
The guard raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by the question. "You're eager, huh? Head to the main building over there." He pointed to a larger wooden structure near the center of the sanctuary. "Talk to the leader—he'll decide if you're useful or not. And yeah, we've always got work that needs doing. Be ready to pull your weight."
Phoenix thanked him and made his way toward the main building.
The structure stood tall and wide, constructed from wood and reinforced with steel beams scavenged from the ruins. A wide staircase led to a double-door entrance, which looked sturdy and well-maintained. Inside, the air was surprisingly cool, and the walls were lined with maps and charts. In the center of the room was a desk where a woman sat, typing on a holographic keyboard.
Phoenix approached the desk. "Excuse me, I'm looking for the leader of this shelter."
The woman looked up from her work, her sharp eyes scrutinizing him. "You'll find the leader's office on the second floor. Take the stairs on your left."
"Thanks," Phoenix replied, making his way upstairs.
The second floor was quieter, with fewer people around. At the end of the hallway stood a door marked with a metal plaque reading "Leader's Office." He pushed it open and stepped inside.
Seated behind a large desk was a burly man with a terrifying presence. His toned body was marred by scars, the most prominent being a jagged line across his face that rendered one eye blind. His remaining eye locked onto Phoenix with a piercing gaze.
The man leaned back in his chair, his deep voice rumbling. "You're the newcomer, huh? What do you want?"
Phoenix stood tall, trying to mask his unease. "I want to help. If there are missions I can take, I'll do whatever's needed."
The leader's lips curled into a smirk. "We'll see about that. Let's see if you're worth keeping around."