Kai opened his eyes, blinking against the harsh lighting of Haven. As he slowly regained consciousness, a soft chime from the Silo Overlay sounded.
[You Have Reached Level Five. All Wounds Are Healed]
A grin spread across Kai's face as he read the message. "No way!" he exclaimed, sitting upright on the thin mattress. He couldn't believe his luck – not only had he leveled up, but all of his injuries from the previous day's battle had been healed, again.
Kai let out a hearty laugh, the sound echoing off the metal walls of his sanctuary. "From now on, I'm going to beg for a level up every night before bed," he declared, only half-joking.
Curiosity piqued, Kai accessed his updated stats, eager to see how his abilities had progressed. As he scanned the numbers, his eyes widened in surprise.
[Silo Overlay]
[Kai Jones - Level 5 - Grade - B - Highest Echelon - First]
[Class : Silo Scavenger]
[Skills : Scavenger's Luck, Trap Crafting, Improvised Weaponry]
[Endurance : 5]
[Strength : 4]
[Dexterity : 5]
[Perception : 4]
[Intelligence : 4]
[Charisma : 3]
[Echelon Quest - (2/3)]
[1. Collect Ten Beast Tokens (10/10)]
[2. Map 25% of the Silo (10/25)]
He had gained quite a few points across various attributes. 1 in endurance, strength, dexterity and perception. His Overlay was looking pretty filled out and he was pleased with his progress.
Swinging his legs over the side of the cot, Kai stood up, marveling at the seamless healing. His body felt great, like he had just spent an easy week resting. He flexed and grinned in satisfaction at his bicep, larger than ever in his life by multiple degrees.
As Kai went through his morning routine, he couldn't shake the feeling of invincibility that accompanied his increased stats. Each push-up, each sit-up, each squat – they all seemed easier and more natural. In his first days in the Silo, Kai was doing fifteen to twenty push ups before collapsing, now that number was closer to eighty. Same story with squats and sit ups, significant physical gains across the board.
Kai summoned his Silo Overlay again, the holographic display flickering to life before his eyes. He had been so focused on surviving and progressing through the Silo's challenges that he hadn't paid much attention to the specifics of his skills and abilities.
[Skills : Scavenger's Luck, Trap Crafting, Improvised Weaponry]
Scanning the list, Kai nodded to himself. Scavenger's Luck – that one made sense. He couldn't deny that he had benefited from a stroke of good fortune during some of his encounters, narrowly avoiding what could have been deadly situations. Perhaps the Silo recognized his resourcefulness and adaptability, rewarding him with a touch of luck when he needed it most.
His gaze shifted to Improvised Weaponry. The rebar spear he had crafted from the salvaged materials within the Silo was certainly an unconventional weapon. Kai shrugged, a wry smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. Who needed fancy, high-tech armaments when you could turn the remnants of the old world into deadly instruments of survival?
Trap Crafting was the final skill on the list, and Kai couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. His traps, while crude by some standards, had undoubtedly saved his life on multiple occasions. From the weighted nets, though technically Anya's idea, to the precariously balanced metal sheets.
Satisfied with his assessment, Kai dismissed the Overlay and turned his attention to the Market. As he ate his bland breakfast of nutrition bars and water, he scrolled through the available listings, noting that his credit balance had dwindled to a mere 15 credits.
The thought of selling some of his hard-earned Beast Tokens crossed his mind, but he quickly dismissed it. He could always sell them later if he was hard pressed for credits. They may have greater worth in the Grove or to someone else in the Silo.
Kai stepped out into the atrium, the flickering fluorescent lights casting an eerie glow over the cavernous chamber. As his eyes adjusted, he noticed Anya sitting on the floor, humming softly to herself as she wove strands of wire and scrap metal into intricate nets.
A small pile of supplies lay beside her, significantly diminished from the last time he had seen it. Kai frowned, realizing that they would need to scavenge for more materials soon if Anya intended to continue crafting her wares for the Market.
As if sensing his presence, Anya looked up and flashed him a bright smile, waving him over with her free hand. "Morning, Kai," she greeted, her voice carrying a hint of fatigue.
"Couldn't sleep?" Kai inquired, making his way over to where she sat.
Anya shook her head. "Not a wink," she admitted. "So I figured I might as well make good use of the time and work on these nets. Sold a few more while you were out."
Kai nodded, impressed by her dedication and industriousness. "That's great news," he said, taking a seat beside her. "Any progress on your quest?"
A proud grin spread across Anya's face. "As a matter of fact, yes," she replied. "I gained a level overnight. Level four, boom." Anya ticked off her fingers as she listed her improved attributes. "Intelligence, charisma, and dexterity all went up by one point each."
"No way!" Kai exclaimed, his eyes widening with excitement. "That's amazing! So did I, as I'm sure you can tell, since I'm not crawling around pitifully."
Kai couldn't help but notice that the overall increase seemed lower than his own, but he didn't dwell on it. "That's fantastic," he said sincerely. "I'm sure those boosts will come in handy."
Anya nodded, her expression thoughtful. "I hope so," she mused. "By the way, what's your grade?"
Kai blinked, caught off guard by the question. "Grade?"
"Yeah, you know, like our overall ranking or classification or whatever," Anya elaborated. "I'm a C-grade, apparently."
Realization dawned on Kai as he remembered the designation displayed in his Silo Overlay. "Oh, right," he said. "I'm a B-grade."
Anya's eyebrows rose slightly, but she didn't seem overly surprised. "Huh, interesting," she murmured.
They both shrugged, acknowledging the enigmatic nature of their circumstances. So much about the Silo remained shrouded in uncertainty, from the grading system to the very purpose of their being here. How many grades were there and what was the relevance?
* * *
Kai watched as Anya deftly wove the strands of wire and scrap metal into yet another intricate net. Her movements were fluid and practiced. Pausing for a moment, she looked up at him, her hazel eyes contemplative.
"Kai," she began, her voice carrying a hint of hesitation. "I've been thinking about our situation, and I've come to a decision."
Kai's turned his head slightly to look at her, his curiosity piqued. "What is it?"
Anya took a deep breath, as if steeling herself for what she was about to say. "I want to join you and go to the Grove, if you believe it's a good idea."
Kai's eyes widened in surprise, but he quickly recovered, nodding thoughtfully. "I think it's worth trying," he said, his tone sincere. "We can't keep eking out a survival on our own, not with the dangers we've faced. If there had been one more Dragon Hound the day before, I would be dead."
The memory of the vicious battle flashed through his mind, the snarls and howls echoing in his ears. He shuddered, pushing the thought aside. "We need to find safety in numbers, and the Grove seems to offer that."
Anya nodded, her expression complicated. "I agree. I just hope they're not like…"
Kai offered her a reassuring smile. "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. For now, let's focus on getting there in one piece."
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
He glanced around the atrium, his gaze lingering on the piles of supplies and crafted items scattered about. "Is there anything you need to take care of before we leave?"
Anya followed his line of sight, her eyes settling on the meticulously woven nets. "I was planning on listing these on the Market," she said. "That way, we don't have to carry them with us, and we can free up some space in our packs."
Kai nodded in agreement. "Good idea."
With a plan in place, they both rose to their feet, their movements filled with a renewed sense of purpose. Anya gathered her nets, carefully bundling them together before retreating into the sanctuary of her room. Kai, too, made his way back to Haven, his mind already whirring with the tasks ahead.
Inside Haven, Kai methodically began packing his gear. He double-checked his supplies, ensuring he had enough nutrition bars and water for the journey, adding any complications. His gaze fell upon his trusty rebar spear, and he secured it to his pack, the familiar weight a comforting presence.
Next, Kai turned his attention to his scrapbow, carefully inspecting the makeshift weapon for any signs of damage or wear. Satisfied with its condition, he slung it over his shoulder, making a mental note to replenish his dwindling supply of bolts as soon as possible.
Kai quickly counted the remaining bolts, muttering slightly as he tallied nine. It wasn't an ideal number, but he hoped it would be enough to see them through any potential encounters on their way to the Grove.
With his gear packed and ready, Kai took one last sweeping glance around Haven, committing every detail to memory. This sanctuary had been his home, his refuge in the unforgiving world of the Silo. It had sheltered him, protected him, and witnessed his growth from a wide-eyed explorer to a hardened survivor.
A pang of nostalgia tugged at his heart, but Kai quickly pushed it aside. This was not the end, merely the beginning of a new chapter in his journey. He had no idea what awaited him at the Grove, but he was determined to face it head-on, with Anya by his side.
Taking a deep breath, Kai stepped out of Haven, his footsteps echoing through the atrium as he made his way towards Anya's sanctuary. He found her standing outside, her own pack slung over her shoulders, her face etched with a mixture of anticipation and trepidation.
"Ready?" Kai asked, his voice carrying a note of reassurance.
Anya nodded, her grip tightening on the straps of her pack. "As I'll ever be."
* * *
Kai and Anya dismantled the barricade enough to slip through. With each piece of scrap metal and wire removed, a melancholy built in him at leaving the atrium. Anya stepped through and he followed, taking a last glance before turning his back.
Anya's voice broke through his reverie. "Kai, we should leave the markings," she said. "If anyone else comes this way, they'll know there's a safe place nearby."
Kai nodded, understanding the wisdom in her words. They had both experienced the desperation of being lost and alone in the Silo, and the thought of providing a beacon of hope, however small, felt like a duty they couldn't ignore.
Kai turned and followed Anya, his footsteps echoing through the dimly lit corridors as they made their way towards the Grove. As they rounded a corner, Anya suddenly stopped, causing Kai to nearly collide with her. He followed her gaze and saw an unusual sight – a large swarm of rustmites crawling over one of the terminals lining the hall.
"I've never seen so many of them in one place," Anya murmured, her tone one of curiosity.
Kai nodded, his grip tightening on his spear as he kept watch over the hall. While the rustmites themselves posed no threat, he was a bit jumpy from the day before with the dragon hounds. He couldn't help but smile at the child-like curiosity Anya showed sometimes.
Anya approached the terminal cautiously, her eyes alight with curiosity as she studied the swarm. The rustmites paid her no heed, their tiny bodies swarming over the surface of the terminal, devouring the rust and debris that had accumulated there.
"It's as if they're drawn to this particular terminal," Anya mused, her voice barely above a whisper.
Kai leaned over her shoulder and stepped back with a sharp breath. Anya reacted instantly, whirling around with Kai's knife at the ready. She looked for danger but there was none, she looked back to Kai who was staring at the terminal. There in the middle, carved into the screen was the exact version of the symbol carved into the back of Pen's diary. Ten circles with lines striking through them in an artistic fashion.
"What is it Kai?" Anya asked.
"This pattern…" He muttered.
"Yeah, its the same one that keeps popping up, how strange." She remarked, back to looking at the terminal.
"No, this ones a little different, look." He said while dropping his pack and pulling out the diary, he showed her the back cover and compared it to the terminal, it was an exact match, down to the seemingly erroneous marks.
"She was here, the author of this diary, there's no way this is just a coincidence." He whispered.
"Kai…"
"What the fuck is going on in this place?" He asked and looked around sharply, almost expecting a camera crew to jump out filming.
He stopped to mark the location of the terminal on his map, so he could come back and study it further later. For now, he wanted to get going and find the safety of the Grove. Another dozen halls passed in silence and peace but as they drew closer to their destination, a sudden commotion up ahead brought them to an abrupt halt.
Kai's hand instinctively tightened around the shaft of his spear, his senses heightened, alert for any potential danger. He motioned for Anya to stay back, then cautiously peered around the corner.
The scene that unfolded before him sent a chill down his spine. A man, clad in the distinctive uniform of the Grove, was being assaulted by two hulking figures, their movements aggressive and menacing. Kai immediately recognized the assailants' style – they were pipe dwellers, the very same group that had held Anya captive and nearly cost them both their lives.
Before Kai could process the situation further, Anya's presence beside him startled him. Her voice was hushed but urgent as she relayed what she had overheard.
"They're asking him about guard patrols and threatening to kill him if he doesn't cooperate," she whispered, her eyes wide with concern.
Kai's gaze shifted back to the man in the Grove uniform, who was pleading with his attackers, his words laced with desperation. It was then that Kai noticed another form crumpled on the floor nearby, unmoving and ominously still.
A surge of anger coursed through Kai's veins as he realized the gravity of the situation. These pipe dwellers were not only threatening the still living man, they had already killed or maimed another. He edged closer towards the hall and hesitated, unsure of his next move.
Anya's hand came to rest on his shoulder, a gentle but reassuring gesture that bolstered his confidence. Drawing in a deep breath, Kai pulled his scrapbow free and nocked a bolt. He steadied his aim and released the trigger. The bolt whistled through the air, striking one of the pipe dwellers squarely in the back.
The second assailant whirled around, his gaze locking onto Kai and Anya's position. Kai didn't falter, swiftly nocking another bolt and letting it fly. This time, it found its mark in the man's leg, eliciting a guttural cry of pain. A third bolt followed in quick succession, burying itself in the pipe dweller's stomach.
The first guard, realizing the tables had turned, weighed his options and fled in the opposite direction, disappearing around a corner.
Anya didn't waste a moment. She dashed towards the injured man in the Grove uniform, kneeling beside him and gently helping him into a sitting position. Kai, meanwhile, kept a vigilant watch on the hallway and injured man, his eyes scanning for any further threats.
The man from the Grove's voice was strained, but he managed to convey his gratitude. "You saved my life," he rasped, his eyes filled with a mixture of pain and relief. "We were ambushed on patrol, but backup should be on the way. I'm Jerrel."
He gestured weakly towards the motionless figure lying a few feet away. "Please, check on my brother."
Kai nodded, his expression grim as he approached the fallen man. Gently, he rolled him over, revealing a pallid face marred by a rapidly forming bruise on his forehead. To Kai's relief, the man's chest rose and fell in shallow breaths, indicating he was still alive.
Kai froze, his heart pounding in his ears as Ezra and four other men arrived on the scene. The relief he had felt mere moments ago dissipated in an instant, replaced by a sense of foreboding as Ezra's gaze fell upon him, kneeling beside the slumped form of the injured man.
Ezra's face contorted into a mask of fury, his eyes burning with barely contained rage. Before Kai could react, Ezra let out a guttural roar and charged towards him, his movements fueled by primal instinct and Silo heightened strength.
Time seemed to slow as Ezra closed the distance between them, his muscular frame radiating danger. Kai found himself rooted to the spot, paralyzed by the overwhelming force of Ezra's presence, unable to move or defend himself. His terror was absolute, blocking out any other thoughts.
As Ezra drew his sword and was poised to strike, Jerrel's voice rang out, piercing the tense silence. "Stop! Stop! Stop!" he screamed, his hand shooting up in a desperate gesture. "They saved us, it wasn't them!"
Ezra's momentum carried him forward, and though he managed to divert his swing at the last moment, his fist still grazed Kai's chest, sending a jolt of pain through his body. The force of Ezra's charge barreled into Kai, and they both tumbled to the ground in a tangled heap. Kai's breath was knocked free from his chest and he began to cough violently.
The other men surrounded them, their eyes alert and scanning the hallways for any signs of further danger. They surrounded the man from the pipe and one of them kicked him in the ribs, eliciting a groan. Kai made a move to rise, but Ezra's arm pinned him down with a weight that felt like a truck, rendering him immobile.
Ezra turned his attention to Jerrel, his eyes piecing as he sought confirmation of the man's words. With a nod from the man, Ezra's expression shifted, and he immediately released Kai, offering a profuse apology as he helped him to his feet.
It was then that Anya stepped forward, her eyes blazing with a protective fury of her own. Without hesitation, she raised her hand and delivered a stinging slap across Ezra's face, the sound echoing through the corridor.
Ezra didn't flinch or recoil from the blow. Instead, he accepted it without offense, his gaze meeting Anya's with a mixture of understanding and remorse.
Kai watched as Ezra gently helped Jerrel to his feet, his movements careful yet purposeful. Two of the other men swiftly moved to assist the fallen soldier, supporting his weight between them as they prepared to transport him to safety. While the last two began to drag the pipe dweller.
Ezra turned his attention towards Kai, his gaze steady and appraising. "Were you traveling to the Grove?" he inquired, his voice back to the friendly tone from the day before.
Kai met Ezra's question with a hesitant nod. He couldn't help but feel a twinge of apprehension, uncertain of how Ezra and his men would respond to their presence. The pain in his ribs from the man's tackle was a constant reminder of the strength gap between them.
To Kai's surprise, Ezra extended his arm, his calloused hand reaching out in an invitation. "Then travel with us," he offered, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Kai's gaze flickered towards Anya, seeking her counsel. Her eyes met his, and with a subtle nod, she conveyed her assent. Steeling himself, Kai reached out and clasped Ezra's hand, sealing their temporary alliance.
The group set off, their pace brisk yet cautious, as they navigated the labyrinthine corridors. Kai couldn't help but notice the flurry of activity around them, men and women armed with an array of weapons standing guard or patrolling the hallways with a sense of vigilance that spoke volumes. Somehow, Jerrel was able to signal to the Grove about the attack.
Finally, they reached the entrance to the massive chamber that housed the Grove, but instead of the path Kai had taken before, they approached from a different angle. As they stepped through the threshold, Kai couldn't help but steal a glance at Anya, eager to witness her reaction to the sight that awaited them.
Anya's eyes widened, her mouth parting in a silent gasp of awe as she took in the breathtaking vista before them. The artificial forest stretched out before them, a verdant oasis of life and vitality amidst the oppressive gloom of the Silo. The air was rich with the scent of earth and greenery, a stark contrast to the stale, metallic tang that permeated the rest of the structure.
Ezra turned towards them, a proud smile gracing his weathered features. "Welcome to the Grove, my friends," he proclaimed, his voice resonating with a sense of belonging and pride.