Vera groaned, trying to swipe away the floating text, but it persisted. Slowly, her eyes adjusted, reading the lines carefully.

Class: Scrap Adept

Level: 1

Attributes: Strength: 7, Intelligence: 14, Dexterity: 9, Agility: 8

*Skills:

* Scrap Salvage (Level 1): Ability to locate and re-purpose technological debris.

* Basic Combat Training: Access to fundamental combat maneuvers.*

Objective: Survive.

“Survive,” she scoffed. “Isn’t that always the game?”

As she scanned the desolate landscape, her mind raced, piecing together what little she understood. This world—wherever it was—had RPG mechanics layered over it. Levels, stats, skills. It was like something out of an old video game, but far too real.

A sound broke her thoughts. A low, grating growl echoed from the shadows of the ruins. Vera turned, instinctively stepping back. The shape emerged from the darkness—a twisted, mechanical beast, its form barely holding together, like it had been assembled from scraps of dead machines.

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Her heart raced, but the System's voice cut through her fear.

Combat Mode Engaged. Execute Basic Combat Maneuvers.

Her body moved before her mind caught up. She ducked as the beast lunged, its claws swiping through the air where her head had been moments before. Her foot connected with the ground, spinning her into a low kick that swept the creature's legs. It fell, gears grinding.

“Guess I know how to fight now,” Vera muttered. The movements weren’t hers, but the System had hardwired basic combat into her muscle memory. She capitalized on the creature’s fall, reaching for a chunk of metal embedded in the ground, a makeshift weapon.

The beast roared, thrashing wildly, but she was faster. The metal shard plunged into the beast’s core. Sparks flew, and the creature shuddered before collapsing into a heap of twisted parts.

Scrap Salvage available. Proceed?

“Proceed,” Vera muttered, not entirely sure what that meant.

The beast's remains shimmered, dissolving into light. In its place was a bundle of components. Vera inspected them, recognizing parts from old machines—some familiar, others completely alien. Her mind swirled with possibilities. She had no idea what to do with this stuff yet, but the System’s hint was clear: survival meant scavenging and building from the ruins of this world.

With a sigh, she slung the scrap parts over her shoulder. If this was her life now, she had better get used to it fast.