On the way she encountered dozens of low level monsters in ones and twos. They all attacked her, none were worth as much essence as a warg. She’d been strangely lucky in terms of first monsters. Most people would not encounter a level five the first day, much less a level seven.

The club had a sign on the door.

Girls, the safe zone door is at Kenny’s place. Patrons, we are closed for the duration.

Ginny went around the club, past the park and around the nearest building of the apartment complex.

Kenny and Sonja lived on the ground floor, unit 104. Their door was actually standing open, but enclosed in some kind of shield or force field.

Ginny stepped up to it and tentatively touched it.

Cherry Grove Safe Zone- Violence Prohibited

Kenny popped his head out of the door the moment the barrier was touched. He was holding a slightly splintered wooden baseball bat.

The barrier partly faded to let her in.

“Hey Crystal. Come on in. We’ve got a safe zone set up, food and everything. A bit crowded. Mark showed us how to unlock the System early and a bunch of us have been fighting anything that comes close. I’m just glad those wargs he talked about haven’t gotten this far.”

“Yeah. If you clear the portal dungeons, whatever is spawning out of them stops appearing. Is there a meeting place? I have some resources for the group.”

“Oh. The new canteen is out in the courtyard. Just go ahead through.”

Ginny nodded.

The courtyard had been roofed over since the morning. There was also a new staircase headed down into a basement that hadn’t existed before today. The neighborhood kids were playing in a huddled group away from the new canteen. It looked like two of the apartments had been magically renovated into a buffet restaurant with plenty of tables and chairs.

“Crystal!” Keisha sounded genuinely happy to see her. “You’re the last unaccounted for dancer.” She her face fell. “Destiny and Sable are both confirmed dead.”

“A lot of people have died today.” Ginny said coolly. “I have something for the group. Is someone organizing defense?”

“Rick, Mark and Kenny. They’re based out of the entrance. Kenny’s old apartment. Housing in the safe zone is downstairs.” She pointed. “And if you’re staying, which I hope you will, you’ll be in dorm two. We’re packed in tight already, but we saved you a bunk.”

“I… yeah. I suppose we would be. I’ll go talk to the guys.”

“Then come have a bite to eat. I’m actually impressed by the system food.”

Ginny nodded. Maybe her base core could provide food too. She should have tried while she was at the studio. She didn’t think of it. She had expected to set it up for the group when she returned.

“Guys?” She called as she went back into apartment 104.

Kenny came back out. Rick was right over his shoulder.

“I got a Weapon Artificer profession.” She slid the pack straps off her shoulders. “These are for the community. I made or remade them out of junk.” She was unrolling the bundle on the kitchen table. “I don’t know how many fighters we will have, but twenty seemed like a good round number.” It was also the number on the quest.

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“Wow. These are amazing!” Rick said, handling the axe.

“They’re a donation, a gift to the community, so if you’re going to use it to defend the safe zone…”

“Yeah. Of course! My girls are here.” Rick replied hotly. He was the one who lived with a cadre of dancers from the club, all of whom referred to him as a boyfriend.

“Then choose what you’ll use.”

Kenny took a sword. Rick took the axe.

Quest Complete: Arm the Community- The weapons were made and delivered in record time. Your community is that much safer. Rewards: Major Perk- Dimensional Storage; 10 E-grade Essence Crystals; E-grade Essence Bottle

The bottle appeared around her neck. The crystals appeared in a tray in her hands. For once a major change did not make her pass out. The information on accessing her new dimensional storage space flooded into her mind as if it had been uploaded into the profession implant in her neck.

She almost automatically shifted the tray and her bag into the storage space.

The guys hadn’t even noticed the crystals appearing, they were too busy admiring their new weapons.

Ginny left them there. She’d been more than paid for her work.

She headed for the stairs. She was really hoping that the safe zone had hot water. If it didn’t she was willing to pay gold or essence to get it.

She found Dorm 2. It wasn’t hard. There were six dorms on the hall. It looked like the odd side was for families by the diaper bags and luggage.

Dorm 2 was filled with her fellow dancers.

She was met with a chorus of her name, most called out “Crystal!” but quite a few said “Ginny!” as well.

She held up her hands to keep Ruby from hugging her. “Most importantly, is there a shower?”

They laughed.

“In the back.” Ginger laughed. “The water is even hot. Don’t take forever, we want to hear what it’s like out there.”

If the club hadn’t already had a Ginger, Ginny probably would have used name. Crystal was almost too generic, but the artificial redhead made a great Ginger.

“Sure. I spent most of my time crafting though. I’ll be back.”

The hot shower after a day of grime was very welcome. The bathroom was nothing special. It was set up with four shower stalls, four toilets, four sinks and twelve lockers. If she’d noticed there were also twelve beds as six bunk beds.

She had no clean clothes and no desire to put on her dirty clothes, so she splurged by using the shop to buy pajamas. They only cost her 2 gold and came with slippers and a matching robe.

“We saved you a bottom bunk. I hope that’s ok?” Ginger called from her top bunk.

“I’m sure it’s fine.” Ginny said. “So. I think the most important thing to tell you is that you have to choose a class but you can pick up a profession as well. I’m a Rogue and a Weapon Artificer…” Ginny went on to explain everything she’d learned about stats, levels, crafting and more.

“You’re saying it doesn’t matter if we don’t want this system. Everyone is going to get Awakened?” Holly whined.

“Yes. But you can take a profession and earn Essence for leveling by crafting.” Ginny affirmed, not for the first time.

“Think that the guys will pay in Essence for the oldest profession?” Chloe teased.

“It could happen.” Ginny laughed. “Now. I was promised food and I’m going to go get some before the sun is fully set. I’ve had a long day.”

She got a tray and filled plates from the unattended buffet.

Marlene had a flail on her belt when she and her cousins, Keisha, Gerald, Morty and Eliza all joined Ginny at her canteen table.

“So.” The apartment landlady folded her hands and leaned forward. “How bad is it out there?”

“I think the best news is that you can use essence to heal.” Ginny said, mentally preparing for a long series of questions.

“Yes, but what do you know?” Gerald asked.

So Ginny reported everything she’d told the girls downstairs and then when they didn’t stop asking questions she bought a few basic books from the shop. Most of the cousins took the books to another table.

Marlene stayed. “You look tired. What are your plans?”

“After a good night’s sleep? I’m going back out to fight.”

“Mark explained about how you have to kill five level five monsters to awaken the system early. Do you think you could find a spot nearby that has level fives spawning regularly? I fought half the day and didn’t awaken the system.”

“Yeah. That’s a decent idea.”

“They can borrow the weapons you brought in. You didn’t mention that you donated a small arsenal.”

Ginny grunted.

“I’m sure you’d like to eat in peace. Just one more thing. Mark told us about the mind magic Trauma Buffer. I’m sure you have your share of past traumas. Our girls usually do, but you should consider removing that buff. It isn’t healthy.”

“I… I’ll do it eventually.” Ginny promised.