- Name: Samantha Collins
- Age: 19
- Level: 0
- Class: Mage
- Subclasses: None
- Dexterity: 10
- Intelligence: 10
- Strength: 10
- Vitality: 10
- Wisdom: 10
- HP: 100
- MP: 100
The weight of reality pressed down on her like a heavy shroud. She stared at the blank slate of her status screen, a glaring testament to the void where her accomplishments once stood. Earth#346A felt both foreign and cruel, an unforgiving host that had stripped away her years of growth and mastery. She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms as she grappled with the frustration threatening to consume her. Though her stats were balanced, they felt hollow, lacking the unique edge she had honed through countless battles and challenges.
Determined not to succumb to despair, she vowed to uncover the mysteries of this world and reclaim her lost power. If Earth#346A wanted to test her resolve, she would meet it head-on. What she had built once, she could build again—but this time, she would ensure no force could ever take it from her.
Samantha wondered how she was supposed to help this world prepare for the System now. The weight of responsibility felt heavier than ever, a mantle she hadn’t asked for but couldn’t abandon. Earth#346A was raw, unconditioned, its people blissfully ignorant of the cascading chaos the System would soon bring. They didn’t know the rules of the game, the strategies required to survive, or the strength it demanded.
Her gaze fell on her trembling hands. They had once been her weapons, the tools of her survival, shaped by victories and losses alike. Now, they were merely an echo of what she used to be. But even so, she refused to let them remain idle. If this world didn’t know how to fight, she would teach them. If the people didn’t know how to adapt, she would guide them. And if darkness came to consume them, she would stand as their shield.
The question wasn’t whether she could do it—it was how to begin. With her stats reset to their most basic form, every step forward would demand strategy and grit. She no longer had the luxury of brute force or overwhelming power to carve her path. But perhaps, she mused, this was an opportunity. A chance to build not just herself, but an entire world into something stronger, something unbreakable.
Drawing a deep breath, Samantha lifted her chin. The System may have taken everything from her, but it hadn’t taken her will to fight. And that, she resolved, would be enough.
Her thoughts drifted to the fiery cube—a relic from her past triumph at level 50. It had been bestowed upon her by the System as a reward, its shimmering glow promising untold potential. The System had described it as capable of creating a sanctuary, a safe zone immune to the chaos that engulfed the world. But what secrets did it truly hold? Could it offer her more than just refuge? Samantha had never fully explored its power. Yet now, stripped of her former might, the cube felt like her only lifeline.
She retrieved the object from her backpack, its surface pulsing faintly as though alive. Memories surged as her fingers brushed against its warmth—moments of triumph, the exhilaration of reaching level 50, and the unwavering belief that she could conquer anything. But this wasn’t the time for nostalgia. It was time for answers.
Samantha examined the cube closely, seeking clues in its intricate patterns and glowing fissures. Could it be activated? Could it provide her with the tools to rebuild herself and help Earth#346A prepare for the mounting storm? The System hadn’t just handed it to her arbitrarily; it must have intended for her to use it. She couldn’t help but wonder if it held knowledge or resources that could turn the tide in her favor.
Her mind raced with possibilities. If the cube could create a safe zone, how extensive was its reach? Was it limited to her protection, or could it shield others—perhaps even entire communities? And beyond protection, could it amplify her progress in this reset state, allowing her to regain the strength stripped away by the System’s cruel machinations?
Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.
Resolving to uncover its secrets, Samantha closed her eyes and focused her will on the cube. If it truly had been crafted to assist her, it was time to unlock its potential. The faint hum of energy intensified under her grip, and for the first time since waking in Earth#346A, she felt a flicker of hope. The System may have reset her stats, but it had also left her with tools—and Samantha intended to wield them to their fullest.
As Samantha concentrated on the cube, its faint hum transformed into a steady, resonant sound that filled the air around her. Then, without warning, the sound coalesced into words—a mechanical voice, clear and emotionless, emerged from the depths of the artifact.
"Designation: Fiery Sanctuary. Protocol activation initiated. User Samantha acknowledged," the voice intoned. Samantha's breath caught as the cube's glow intensified, casting intricate shadows across the floor. "Sanctuary specifications: one mile by one mile safe zone. Accessible exclusively to primary user and five authorized individuals. Basic amenities include sustenance, potable water, shelter, and preliminary defense mechanisms. Sanctuary capabilities will evolve proportionally with primary user's level progression."
Her mind reeled at the revelation. The cube didn’t just offer protection; it was a tool of transformation, a bastion to shield and fortify her efforts. Yet the voice wasn’t finished.
"Initial setup requirements: the Sanctuary must be established within an unpopulated area. Warning: failure to comply may result in unintended consequences. Activation command available upon user confirmation."
Samantha's fingers tightened around the cube as her thoughts raced. A sanctuary—an oasis amidst the chaos—accessible only to her and five chosen allies. It wasn’t just a refuge; it was a foundation upon which she could rebuild. But the constraints were clear. The zone had to be set up far from civilization, away from prying eyes or unintended interference.
Could she trust the System’s gift? Or was this another calculated move to test her resolve? The mechanical voice had offered no promises of safety, only the faint hope of possibility. Still, she couldn’t afford to dismiss it—not when the stakes were so high.
"Cube," she murmured, her voice steady despite the storm of emotions within her, "how do I choose my five?"
The artifact responded immediately, its voice unwavering. "Authorization process available post-initial setup. User must enter the Sanctuary for verification and registration."
The cube pulsed again, its mechanical voice breaking the silence. "Ally identification protocol available upon initial activation of the Sanctuary. Parameters include compatibility with primary user objectives, willingness to collaborate, and demonstrated resilience against external threats." Samantha's heart quickened. It wasn’t just up to her to choose blindly—there was a system, an assurance that she wouldn’t be alone in her fight.
"Designated allies will be drawn from potential candidates within immediate proximity once Sanctuary is operational. User discretion advised during selection process. Warning: allies must undergo a loyalty verification protocol prior to full integration into Fiery Sanctuary capabilities."
The information settled in her mind like pieces of a puzzle clicking into place. The cube wasn’t merely a static tool; it held the framework to build something greater. She wouldn’t have to make blind decisions—there was a plan, a process to ensure she found those who could stand by her side, who could help her reclaim what had been taken.
Samantha nodded slowly, her mind already working through the possibilities. Who would she bring into this protected space? And more importantly, how would she convince them to trust her, to follow her lead in a world teetering on the brink of chaos?
The cube pulsed in her palm, its warmth almost reassuring. For the first time since waking on Earth#346A, she felt as though she weren’t entirely alone. The System had taken so much from her, but it hadn’t stripped her of her will—or her tools. It was time to take the first step.
Samantha’s grip on the cube loosened slightly as a new thought surfaced. Before she could embark on this journey to establish the Sanctuary and recruit her allies, there was one pressing matter she couldn’t ignore—the loan she had taken out just yesterday. It tethered her movements, a reminder of the mundane yet inescapable realities of survival in this fractured world. Paying it off was a prerequisite, a necessary step to free her for the mission ahead.
She pulled out her new comm device, its interface glowing faintly as she navigated to the job application portal. Her heart pounded with a mixture of relief and anticipation as a lone message popped up on the screen: “Congratulations! You have been accepted for the position. Your first shift begins tomorrow at 8:00 AM.”
A breath escaped her lips, half a sigh and half a laugh. It wasn’t the perfect solution, but it was a start. Earning money would give her the means to resolve her debts and, more importantly, the resources to prepare for her next move. She couldn’t afford to delay—time was a luxury she didn’t possess. The System’s gift demanded action, and her path was slowly taking shape.
Samantha glanced at the cube once more, its pulse steady, unyielding. The Sanctuary would have to wait. For now, she had a job to report to, a loan to settle, and a future to fight for. Tomorrow, she would step into this new role. The day after, perhaps, the real journey would begin.