Chapter 24: Learning the Basics

The hardwood floor creaked beneath Ivanic’s boots as he stood before the group, his lone arm gesturing with authority as he explained the intricacies of the watches they had just discovered. The dim lighting from the crude wooden room barely illuminated the metallic gleam on their wrists, but the tension was evident. Each of them sat or stood silently, absorbing the knowledge like it was their only salvation in this unforgiving world.

Niko sat on the lower bunk of the bed, the metallic surface of his newly acquired watch cool against his skin. With a light tap, a faint vibration ran through his wrist, and suddenly, a translucent screen appeared above the device, hovering in the air. It was a floating interface, displaying a compass, symbols, and words etched in glowing lines—too similar to the RPG games he used to play back on Earth. A strange, eerie familiarity washed over him.

“Can you see it too?” Niko asked, glancing up at Ivanic, the weight of this new reality pressing on his chest.

Ivanic shook his head slowly, his voice tinged with authority and underlying resentment. “No. Only the wearer can see their own screen. It’s personal to each of you.”

Niko nodded, a mixture of excitement and unease gnawing at him. His mind raced as he stared at the glowing interface in front of him, almost too surreal to process. It felt like stepping into a video game, only the stakes were too high, too deadly. This world, unlike any game, had no restart button.

Ivanic continued, his voice commanding attention. “There are four key words you need to understand. These words will guide you, show you your progress. Start by tapping the first one—‘Character.’”

Niko followed the instruction, his fingers trembling slightly. As he tapped the option, a holographic figure—an exact replica of himself—appeared above the watch. The details were uncanny: his unkempt hair, tired eyes, even the ragged state of his clothes. Next to the figure were numbers and stats that outlined his abilities—strength, agility, intelligence, and more. It was like seeing a reflection of his essence.

“Whoa…” Zheng’s voice cut through the room, his excitement palpable. His own watch glowed as he explored its features.

Niko stared at the screen in front of him, feeling both in awe and unsettled by the cold reality it presented. The realism of this interface, the numbers that represented his very life and capabilities, were too much to handle all at once. He flicked his hand, swiping back to the main menu, where Ivanic’s voice picked up again.

“You’ll also notice options like ‘Inventory,’ which you’ve already used to store items, ‘Social,’ for party creation and communication, and ‘Map,’ which only reveals the areas you’ve explored. The rest will stay dark until you uncover it for yourself.”

The mention of the map intrigued Niko. A world shrouded in darkness, only revealed as he explored… It was thrilling and terrifying at the same time. The unknown loomed large in his mind, and he could only wonder what horrors awaited in the parts still hidden.

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Zheng piped up again, his curiosity leading him to ask, “What about these shards, Ivanic? What are they really for?”

Ivanic’s eyes gleamed, a flicker of pride shining through his weary demeanor. “Shards, or ‘Magic Shards,’ as we call them, are your lifeblood in this world. They act as currency, but they’re far more valuable than that. Collect enough, and you can combine them to create a magical crystal. Those crystals? They can upgrade weapons and gear, make you stronger—far beyond what you are now.”

The weight of Ivanic’s words sank into Niko’s mind. Shards weren’t just about buying things—they were power in this world. They represented progress, survival, and strength. In the back of his mind, Niko remembered the traders outside the eastern gate, exchanging shards like they were precious gems. Now it all made sense.

Ivanic settled back onto his bunk, a shadow of exhaustion creeping into his voice. “There’s more to the watch, but certain features are locked until you level up. You’ll see them soon enough. For now, focus on mastering the basics. Grow stronger. That’s the only way you’ll survive here.”

Candreva, as reckless as ever, leapt to his feet, his boisterous voice filling the small room. “Let’s go fight! I need to get manlier!” His enthusiasm was infectious, though dangerously so.

Niko let out a tired sigh. The man had a reckless streak that could get them all killed if they weren’t careful. “We shouldn’t rush into things,” Niko said, trying to keep his voice calm and reasoned. “We need to understand our abilities, how we work as a group. If we charge into fights without a plan, we’ll get wiped out.”

Ivanic nodded, his sharp eyes scanning the group. “He’s right. This isn’t a game, Candreva. Out there, you either plan, or you die. We’ll start small. There’s an unranked forest just outside the eastern gate. It’s mostly harmless but good for practice. We’ll train there, build our strength, then tackle bigger challenges when we’re ready.”

The room grew quiet as Ivanic’s words settled in. This was their reality now—a world where every step had to be calculated, where survival depended on strategy and teamwork. For Niko, the stakes were even higher. His sister was out there, somewhere. And to find her, he had to get stronger, faster, and smarter than ever before.

Candreva, still brimming with energy, punched the air. “Let’s get stronger, manly people!”

Despite himself, Niko couldn’t help but smile slightly. Candreva’s antics might be over the top, but the enthusiasm was infectious. But behind that small smile was a deeper resolve. He couldn’t afford to let his guard down.

Ivanic, seeing that the group was ready, stood once more. “Before we go, there’s one last thing. Your watches are more than just tools—they store your items. I’ll give each of you a shard. Learn how to store it, and keep it safe. You’ll need every edge you can get.”

He handed each of them a shimmering blue shard. Niko examined it carefully, holding it in his palm. When he activated his [Celestial Probe], the details appeared before him.

[Item: Blue Shard] Rank: None

Description: A shard that was once part of a beautiful blue gem capable of upgrading items.

Additional Information: Collect 500 to form a Blue Crystal. When formed, it will enchant an item, making it much stronger.

Niko held the shard with new reverence. “Store,” he said, watching as the shard disappeared from his hand and into his inventory. A warmth spread across his wrist as the watch glowed softly.

Around the room, the others did the same, each of them looking slightly more confident, more prepared. The once fresh and naive group was evolving—no longer weaklings, but warriors in the making.

The quiet buzz of excitement mixed with the weight of their next steps. They weren’t just recruits anymore. They were survivors, and this was just the beginning.