Bob leaned on his sledgehammer near the cabin porch, sipping the last of his pine needle tea. It still tasted awful, but after yesterday, it had become part of the ritual. A few campers stirred near the fire pit, yawning and stretching as others filtered out of the cabin, blinking at the pale gray sky.
Footsteps thudded on the damp deck as George, Blake, and Dave approached in mismatched gear, backpacks strapped tight, weapons slung over shoulders. Alice tightened the laces on her shoes, while Tami checked a pouch of healing supplies she’d gathered from the cabin and adjusted the belt holding her walking staff. Jürgen and the three newer members—Kevin, Sarah, and Marco—clustered together, quieter than the others.
“Everyone good on water?” Bob called out, his voice carrying just enough weight to cut through the sleepy quiet.
“Enough to get us there and back,” George said, tugging the straps on his pack. “If the spring’s where you think it is, we won’t need to carry much on the return trip.”
Bob nodded. “Still, go slow on the first leg. Save your energy until we know what’s out there.”
Tami stepped up beside him, her brow furrowed. “We’re not just walking into the woods, are we? The spring—if we can claim it—it’s a System site, right?”
“Most likely,” Bob said. “The spring was there before the System, but now it probably needs to be ‘claimed.’ That means a trigger, a mini-quest, maybe a fight. Be ready for anything.”
George gave a half-smile. “You expecting another chipmunk boss fight?”
“I’m expecting the unexpected,” Bob replied. “That’s kind of the theme these days.”
Dave gave a mock salute. “Roger that. Expect squirrels. And probably worse.”
Bob turned serious. “Stay together. No splitting up, no solo heroics. If something feels off, pull back. Tami’s the only healer going with you—treat her like your lifeline.”
“I can handle myself,” Tami said dryly.
“I know you can,” Bob said. “But let them protect you anyway. That’s what a good team does.”
Alice gave Bob a thumbs-up as she passed. “We’ll be back before dinner.”
“Bring fish,” Kent called from near the Storage Yard, where he was checking the material readouts. “Or at least a story.”
George turned back one last time. “You sure you don’t want to come with us?”
Bob shook his head. “Still under Tami’s recovery orders. Besides—someone has to make sure the walls don’t build themselves.”
George nodded. “Alright. Wish us luck.”
“You don’t need luck,” Bob said. “You’ve got each other. Just remember why we’re doing this: water, food, and a future.”
With that, the scouting party moved out, slipping down the road and disappearing into the trees. Leaves rustled above them, and their footsteps faded into the forest like a breath held too long.
Bob stood there a while after they vanished, hammer at his side, listening to the quiet they left behind.
After a while, Bob made his way over to where Kent and a group of about ten volunteers were working. Kent explained his plan: clear dead trees and rocks to create walking paths toward the locations he’d picked for future walls.
While Kent started on tree-cutting, Bob, feeling much better after being healed by both Tami and Shinji the day before, picked up his hammer and headed to began breaking large rocks into manageable pieces they could haul to the Storage Yard.
After a few hours progress was good. They’d already added 138 units of wood and 71 units of stone.
Bob approached a large outcropping to break it down, but paused when he noticed movement, ants the size of large rats, crawling everywhere.
His stomach dropped. “Over here!” he called, motioning to five nearby volunteers. They gathered around, each one staring at the oversized insects with a mixture of awe and dread.
“We should avoid this area,” Bob said quietly. “Kent will need to change the wall path in this direction.”
Everyone started to turn towards the cabin. Kalvin, who didn’t see one of the ants scuttling up behind him, as he pivoted his boot came down on it.
“Oh shit!” Kalvin stumbled, barely catching himself.
The world seemed to freeze. Even the wind held its breath.
The ant wasn’t crushed, it was angry. It whirled in place, antennae twitching wildly. A moment later, the other ants joined in, agitated and swarming.
“Run! Back to the cabin!” Bob shouted. “Maybe they won’t follow!”
The volunteers scattered. Bob sprinted toward Kent. “Hey—we’ve got a problem!” he shouted, skidding to a stop.
Kent looked up. “What kind of problem?”
“We ran into an ant nest. And we may have pissed them off.”
Kent blinked, confused. “So… what’s the issue?”
Bob gaped. “Did I forget to say they’re huge? Like, oversized, System-style huge.”
“Crap.” Kent glanced around. “Everyone’s spread out.”
“We need to gather them up,” Bob said, his mind catching up to the threat. “Can you do that?”
Kent nodded and broke into a run.
Bob turned back toward the cabin. As he reached the porch, he found Jill, Claire, and Shinji sitting there. Jill noticed his expression; tense and alert. She stiffened, already rising to her feet before he said a word.
“Bob, what’s going on?”
“Ran into some giant ants. They might be following. We need everyone ready to defend the cabin.”
Shinji stood up immediately. “I’ll round up the others. But most of them aren’t mentally prepared for another fight.”
Bob gritted his teeth. “We don’t have a choice. We either prepare or we risk losing more people.”
It wasn’t very long before the sound of rustling brush could be heard. Bob had gathered those that had chosen Warrior as their class to make a defensive line by the Trading Post and Storage Yard buildings.
He had those that had chosen one of the other classes to line up behind them to provide support. There were still a few people with credits and asked them to buy any weapons they could. He had ended up with three actual weapons; a bow with a quiver of arrows and two short swords.
Jill was talking with those with magic attack skills. She was relating her own use of her skill during the campground fight.
Bob had wanted to talk with her about it for his own skill, Smite. But hadn’t found time. He would need to figure out how to use it on his own.
Everyone was nervous and not ready for another fight. Bob was hopeful that with the size of the ants being smaller than the squirrel that they would be ok. He just didn’t know how many there would be.
They didn’t have to wait very long before ants reached the clearing around the cabin. Bob could see relief in some of the defenders' eyes. The ants didn’t look all that imposing yet Bob knew that he had seen hundreds around the nest and who knew how many were inside the nest.
Bob stood in the center of his makeshift line and ran out to meet the ants. He started swinging his sledgehammer with everything he had. His body surged full of energy, more than he was used to. Looking over his notifications Bob understood why he felt differently.
MEMORIAL OF THE FALLEN BUFF ACTIVE
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- ALL STATS +50%
Bob grinned knowing that this was going to help keep his people alive. He was able to move faster and dodge the ants as he smashed through them. The ant's exoskeleton was durable but it couldn’t withstand his hammer blows. He had cleared a small area when he noticed Kent coming up behind him.
Stepping back, Kent came up next to Bob. “Bob, you have the Leadership skill. You should be directing the fight. Let me handle this.”
Bob knew Kent was right but with the notifications he had gotten so far he was reluctant to give up the experience and credits gained. It wasn’t much, but every ant gave something and there were a lot of them.
He glanced at his notifications as he walked back to the line of supporters.
LEVEL 1 ANT KILLED (X40)
EXPERIENCE POINTS GAINED (X40)
CREDITS EARNED: +80
BLUNT WEAPONS RANK +1
NEW SKILL UNLOCKED: DODGE (RANK 0)
THE BEST PROTECTION IS JUST NOT GETTING HIT. +0.1% DEXTERITY PER RANK.
Bob wasn’t paying attention to the fight as he reviewed his notifications and missed a massive ant emerging from the forest. It towered over the others, closer in size to the chipmunks they had fought at the campground.
A roar dragged his attention back to the fight. Bob looked up in time to see Kent charging the enormous ant, swinging his axe. The ax blade bounced harmlessly off the creature’s armored plating. Kent backed away looking shocked that he hadn’t done anything to the ant.
The massive insect pivoted toward him, pincers snapping closed. Bob knew that if those pincers closed on anyone they would be cut in half. He could see that Kent was in trouble so he rushed to the side of the ant and swung his sledgehammer.
The hit landed square on the creature’s body, right where its neck met its torso. The force of the blow caused the ant’s front legs to buckle but it didn’t go down as it was able to stabilize itself with its other four legs.
Kent, seeing the opening, hacked at one of the buckled front legs. His axe cracked the limb causing the exoskeleton to start leaking a clear fluid but the ant seemed unfazed.
“What do we do?” Bob yelled. “I don’t have many combat skills!”
“Just keep hitting it!” Kent shouted back, trying to slice off one of the ant’s antennae.
With no better plan, Bob raised his hammer and brought it down aiming for a leg. The strike landed with a sharp crack, breaking the leg. The ant couldn’t put weight on the leg and Bob knew what they needed to do. “Go for the legs. They aren’t as armored as the body.”
Kent struck again while the ant focused on Bob. They alternated attacks, drawing its attention back and forth and scoring solid hits each time. Soon three of the legs were broken. Kent had taken out two and Bob still only had the one on his side.
The massive ant sensed the tide turning. It spun wildly, trying to keep both attackers in its line of sight, mandibles snapping like blades. One of the mandibles raked across Bob’s thigh, tearing flesh like wet paper. He stumbled, a scream caught in his throat as his leg buckled under him. Blood gushed down his pants, and the pain hit like a spike of fire. He dropped his hammer, vision swimming.
Kalvin saw Bob go down and rushed to pull him from the fight, barely managing to drag him clear before the ant could lunge again.
Kent noticed the ant trying to go after Bob again and he activated his skill Bolster on himself as he swung for the back leg closest to him.
TEMPORARILY INCREASES A TARGET’S STRENGTH STAT BY +7% FOR 5 MINUTES. WHILE THE EFFECT LASTS, THE TARGET ENJOYS ALL THE PERKS OF THE INCREASED STRENGTH STAT AS THOUGH IT WERE PERMANENT—IMPROVED LIFTING, DAMAGE OUTPUT, AND PHYSICAL RESILIENCE.
Kent didn’t feel the skill really do anything to his already boosted strength. But this wasn’t a time to hold back. Not after he had seen Bob get injured. His swing hit right in a joint on the leg and went all the way through cleaning, cutting the leg off.
The massive ant wasn’t able to hold itself up any more and fell to the ground. Kent was able to get behind it now that it couldn’t move. He jumped up and brought his ax down on the back of its neck hoping that it would be a weak spot.
The blow cracked the exoskeleton and the ant went berserk trying to get at Kent. He just lifted his ax again and swung again. This time there was a sharp crack as his axe dug into the neck. The ant jerked then fell still.
Notifications overwhelmed Kent’s vision as he tried to catch his breath.
LEVEL 2 ANT MAJOR KILLED
EXPERIENCE POINTS GAINED
CREDITS EARNED: +35
BOLSTER RANK +1
LEVEL UP!
YOU ARE NOW LEVEL 2.
ATTRIBUTE BONUSES APPLIED.
- STRENGTH +1
- VITALITY +1
- DEXTERITY +1
- FREE POINTS: +3
NEW SKILLS AVAILABLE — CHOOSE ONE:
CLEAVE (RANK 0)
WHEN ONE BLADE ISN’T ENOUGH, MAKE IT THREE. CUT A PATH THROUGH THE SWARM—BECAUSE SOMETIMES SURVIVAL MEANS SWINGING WIDER, NOT HARDER. SWINGS IN A WIDE ARC STRIKE UP TO THREE ADJACENT ENEMIES. EACH ENEMY TAKES 80–100% WEAPON DAMAGE. REQUIRES BLADED WEAPON.
TAUNTING ROAR (RANK 0)
LET THE WORLD KNOW YOU’RE STILL STANDING. A ROAR OF FURY AND DEFIANCE FORCES FOES TO FACE YOU—AND GIVES YOUR ALLIES ROOM TO BREATHE. FORCE UP TO 4 NEARBY ENEMIES TO TARGET YOU FOR THE NEXT 6 SECONDS.
BLOOD RUSH (RANK 0)
PAIN SHARPENS YOUR EDGE. FURY DRIVES YOUR LIMBS. FOR 8 BLINDING SECONDS, YOU’RE MORE THAN HUMAN—YOU’RE THE STORM THEY NEVER SAW COMING. WHILE ACTIVE, YOU GAIN +20% ATTACK SPEED, +10% DAMAGE, AND IGNORE PAIN PENALTIES BELOW 50% HEALTH. WHEN THE EFFECT ENDS, SUFFER A SHORT FATIGUE DEBUFF.
REBOUND SLASH (RANK 0)
LET THEM MAKE THE FIRST MOVE—SO YOU CAN MAKE IT THEIR LAST. DODGE, DEFLECT, AND LASH OUT IN ONE FLUID MOTION. THIS IS THE ART OF PUNISHMENT. WHEN DODGING OR BLOCKING A MELEE ATTACK, IMMEDIATELY COUNTERATTACK WITH A LIGHTNING-QUICK STRIKE. IF YOU’RE USING A SWORD, THIS DOES 125% DAMAGE AND HAS A 25% CHANCE TO TRIGGER AGAIN.
ARCSTRIKE (RANK 0)
STEEL IS JUST THE VESSEL. CHANNEL YOUR WILL THROUGH IT. INFUSE YOUR NEXT BLOW WITH ELECTRICAL FORCE, AND TEACH YOUR ENEMIES THAT MAGIC ISN'T JUST FOR MAGES. ATTACKS DEALS BONUS ELECTRICAL DAMAGE BASED ON INTELLIGENCE AND WISDOM. ON HIT, THERE’S A +20% CHANCE TO STUN THE TARGET FOR 2 SECONDS.
Kent looked around as he stood above the dead ant major, according to the System death notification. Somewhere, he vaguely recalled that certain ant colonies had larger castes, Majors and Super Majors. He sincerely hoped there weren’t any Super Majors waiting in the woods. He could still see that the ants were still attacking everywhere.
He didn’t have time to review the skill options. People needed help. The mass of ants was easy to deal with at first but the quantity was starting to overwhelm them. There were only two options that helped with a mass like this; Cleave and Taunting Roar.
Reading the description of them one more time Kent made a choice. He didn’t need more damage. He needed them to come at him. To see him as the threat.
Kent mentally selected Taunting Roar. A surge of primal fury rose in his chest, hot, wild, unrelenting. He leapt from the ant major, sprinting toward the swarm. Heat welled in his chest, pure defiance, and then he roared. It wasn’t just loud; it shook the trees, turned heads, and drew bloodthirsty eyes straight to him.
***
Kalvin tore a piece from Bob’s shirt to wrap his leg, helping him back to the edge of the fight. Others had suffered scrapes, so Shinji and Claire were helping out where they could. Bob had received the most serious injury so Shinji came right over and soon his hands had the golden glow from Minor Mend.
Bob’s pain instantly diminished but before Shinji could heal him again Bob stopped him. “I am good enough for now. Save your mana. Just stabilize any one injured until this is over.”
Bob stood with Kalvin’s help. “Thanks. I thought I was done for when I got hit.”
“Glad to help. You guys have done so much for us it is the least I could do.” Kalvin looked embarrassed. “I should go back and help.” Kalvin turned and left.
Bob limped back over to the ant to retrieve his hammer. On the way he saw that someone had organized water and snacks to be passed around. Grabbing some he reviewed his notifications from the fight.
HEALTH -19
LEVEL 2 ANT MAJOR KILLED
EXPERIENCE POINTS GAINED
CREDITS EARNED: +25
BLUNT WEAPONS RANK +1
DODGE RANK +1
As he read the notification Bob headed back towards the support line. As he got there he saw magic spells being cast. He was surprised with the wide variety of spells. He saw Jill’s ice spell, a fireball, lightning, and some kind entangling vines.
Stepping up next to Jill Bob was scanned the tree line and cursed. Two more massive ants emerged.
“More majors incoming!” he shouted. “Focus your spells on them!”
Bob lifted his hammer but a pain in his leg let him know he wasn’t going to be able to handle fighting on the frontlines. He’d just be a liability. He needed another way to contribute.
Then it hit him.
Smite.
The word echoed in his head like a half-forgotten prayer. He’d been given the ability, his first skill, and he’d completely forgotten it existed. He wasn’t just a survivor anymore. He was a Priest. And priests called down light in the dark.
Bob narrowed his eyes at one of the approaching majors. His leg throbbed, pulsing in time with his heartbeat. He planted his good foot, raised his arm like a preacher calling down fire, and shouted:
“Smite!”
…Nothing. Not a flicker. Not a glow. Just a really awkward silence and a confused look from Jill.
“Do you have a spell?”
Bob clenched his jaw. “Yes?” He yanked open the system screen and reread the description like a student checking exam instructions after failing the first question.
SMITE (RANK 0)
CALL DOWN THE FORCE OF YOUR FAITH.
AS LONG AS YOU CAN SEE YOUR ENEMIES, YOU MAY CHANNEL DIVINE POWER TO STRIKE THEM WITH SEARING FORCE. DAMAGE SCALES WITH WILLPOWER STAT (+1%) AND AURA STAT (+2.5%).
Well, he thought, I can definitely see them.
Bob narrowed his eyes. So what’s the problem? he thought again, more frustrated than confused.
“Well, you need to focus on your mana and unlock it before you can cast a spell.” Jill cast Ice Spear at one of the Majors. “If I’d known I would have taught you before this.”
Closing the system menu Bob took a breath, the kind of slow inhale he'd once used before speaking in church or standing up in front of a classroom. A centering breath. A grounding one.
Somewhere deep in his chest, below his ribs and behind the aching throb in his injured leg, he tried to find the part of himself that Jill said he needed. His mana pool.
He reached. And found it. Like stumbling into a hidden spring beneath a cracked well, he felt it, a quiet, pulsing current. Cool and steady. A reservoir of something that wasn’t blood or breath or thought. It was power. It was Mana.
It didn’t glow or burn. It hummed. It had always been there, waiting for him to see it. And the moment he acknowledged it, really saw it, it surged upward. Like a floodgate opening. A new notification blinked in the corner of his vision:
MANA POOL DISCOVERED
YOU HAVE IDENTIFIED AND ACCEPTED YOUR INTERNAL RESERVOIR OF MANA ENERGY. MANA CAN NOW BE CONSCIOUSLY CHANNELED TO FUEL CLASS ABILITIES AND SKILLS.
MANA UNLOCKED: 382/382
Bob’s eyes snapped open.
He didn’t hesitate. His heart was still hammering, his leg barely holding him up, but his arm shot forward again, no hesitation, no doubt.
“Smite!”
This time, the world responded.