The acrid smell of smoke still clung to the air, a constant reminder of the world that was. Kael Ardent surveyed the ruins of what was once his village, a knot of grief tightening in his chest. The Eclipse had been merciless. Homes were reduced to charred husks, the streets littered with debris and the chilling silence broken only by the occasional, distant shriek of some monstrous predator.
He glanced at the translucent blue screen hovering before him – the System interface. It was a surreal presence, a constant reminder of the bizarre reality that had replaced the familiar one.
**[Kael Ardent]**
**[Class: Builder (Novice)]**
**[Level: 1]**
**[XP: 0/100]**
**[Strength: 8]**
**[Agility: 7]**
**[Vitality: 10]**
His stats were… unremarkable. He'd always been more comfortable with blueprints than brawling. But the System didn't care about his past life as an architect. It only cared about survival.
A flicker of movement caught his eye. A scrawny dog, its fur matted and ribs showing, scavenged amongst the rubble. It looked up at him with intelligent, pleading eyes.
"Easy there," Kael murmured, extending a hand cautiously. The dog hesitated, then crept closer, nuzzling his palm. A small notification appeared on the System screen:
**[Discovered: Stray Dog]**
**[Potential Companion]**
"Well, you're in the same boat as me, aren't you?" Kael chuckled weakly, scratching behind the dog's ears. "Let's see if we can find something to eat."
The System made resource gathering… different. He spotted a pile of shattered bricks. Before, they were just rubble. Now, the System identified them:
**[Stone: 5/100]**
He touched a broken piece, and a small number appeared above it: +1 Stone. It was slow going, but it was something. He gathered what he could, the dog following faithfully at his heels.
As dusk approached, the shadows deepened, and the distant shrieks grew closer. Kael knew he needed shelter, and fast. He opened his System interface and navigated to the *Blueprints* section. A list of basic structures appeared:
**[Watchtower (Requires: 50 Stone, 20 Lumber)]**
**[Basic Shelter (Requires: 30 Stone, 10 Lumber)]**
**[Storage Shed (Requires: 20 Stone, 5 Lumber)]**
He didn't have nearly enough resources for the Watchtower, but the Basic Shelter was within reach. *Lumber*… he needed wood. He spotted a fallen tree, its branches broken and scattered. Another System notification:
**[Lumber: 0/50]**
He began to gather the branches, the dog helping by dragging smaller pieces. The System made the process easier, almost like a game, but it was still hard work. His hands were soon raw and blistered.
Finally, as the last rays of light faded, he had enough. He selected the *Basic Shelter* blueprint, and a translucent outline appeared before him. It was a simple structure, a small, enclosed space with a single entrance.
With a thought, he activated the blueprint. The gathered resources shimmered, then dissolved into motes of light that flowed towards the outline. The shelter materialized, brick by brick, almost as if by magic. It wasn't much, but it was a start.
**[Basic Shelter Constructed]**
**[XP +10]**
He stepped inside, the dog following close behind. The shelter was cramped, but it offered a sense of security, a small haven in the encroaching darkness. He shared a meager ration he'd managed to salvage with the dog, whom he decided to name "Shadow."
As he settled down for the night, the howls of the monsters echoed outside. He knew this was just the beginning. He was a Builder, and his village was his canvas. He had a long way to go, but the foundation had been laid. The architect of hope had begun his work.