Chapter Nineteen: White Rank Awakens
"Every legend started as 'just another beginner.'"
Oliver's legs pumped like pistons, heart pounding as the Wilderness Beast crashed through the trees behind him. The air shook with every thunderous stomp. Vines whipped his face. His breath tore in and out like a broken engine.
Then—something blinked in front of him.
Floating mid-air, pulsing with soft neon green light, was a hovering button.
> [SYSTEMATIC HELP — TAP TO ACTIVATE]
He didn't question it. He slapped the button mid-sprint.
A soft tone echoed like a bell chime, and a glowing Systematic interface exploded into the air around him. A virtual screen hovered with cool light, scrolling data as fast as his running feet.
[SYSTEMATIC STATUS – TRAVELER: OLIVER]
> Rank: White (Starter)
VP Points: 1,500 Basic
Output: So far 0
Weapons: None
Class System: Not Registered
Builds: Not Started
Contracts: 0
Achievements: Zero
"Okay," Oliver muttered, dodging a branch. "That's not... demoralizing at all."
Just then, he launched himself over a bush—only to suddenly drop down a short slope, skidding to a halt inches from plunging into a wide, moss-ringed lake. His foot hovered over the edge.
The beast's roar echoed behind him, closer now.
But then—silence.
The Wilderness Beast stood at the tree line, staring.
It sniffed the air. The floating white glow of Oliver's rank shimmered above his head like a digital tag.
[WHITE RANK – BEGINNER]
The beast gave a snort of disgust.
Not worth the energy.
It turned with a heavy stomp and lumbered back into the woods, its blue-glowing level flickering between trees until it vanished.
Oliver sighs in relief he chuckles slightly nervously, that was a close one if he probably didn't open that guide.
Then—bing!
The Systematic opened up wider, lines and options unfolding like a game menu:
> [OPEN: SYSTEMATIC MAP]
[OPEN: GREAT ANALYSIS]
[OPEN: DEVICE RECHARGE]
[OPEN: BUILDING IDEAS]
Oliver tapped through each:
—Systematic Map: Showed his location in the forest with marked traveler paths and possible safe zones.
—Great Analysis: Let him scan items, creatures, even terrain—like a digital encyclopedia.
—Device Recharge: Showed he could plug his phone into the Systematic like Riven had done.
—Building Ideas: Displayed blueprint concepts: a Workbench, a Campfire, a Basic Shelter, even a Water Collector. Each had little tutorial videos with cheerful narration.
Oliver watched one with a little animation man building a campfire and burning his eyebrows off. "Okay... that part's relatable."
Despite everything—the panic, the beast, the chaos—something stirred inside him now. Something stubborn.
This wasn't just survival.
It was a system.
And systems could be learned.
He took a breath, stood up, and looked out over the water, Lux's rays shimmering across its surface like invitation.
"Alright," Oliver said, eyes narrowing.
"Let's build something."