Theo sat on the edge of Erasmus’s work table, one leg lazily swinging off the side as he watched the old man work. He had learned by now that Erasmus wasn’t just smart—he was obsessively meticulous, each flick of his fingers across the holographic interface calculated down to the microsecond.

The glowing blueprints of the ocular implant hovered in mid-air, shifting as the Catalyx scientist refined the implant within some kind of automated building module with inhuman precision.

Unlike crude human engineering, where trial and error dictated craftsmanship, this device was built with absolute efficiency—every action preordained, every micro-adjustment dictated by perfect calculations.

As Theo watched, the module flared to life, a symphony of mechanical arms and high-frequency energy pulses working in perfect concert.

Metal strips, suspended in mid-air by unseen forces, were superheated in an instant, the temperature shifting so precisely that not a single molecule strayed from its intended state.

Liquid alloy poured into pre-measured grooves before flash-cooling in fractions of a second, solidifying into flawless, microscopic components.

Lasers carved intricate circuit pathways, their precision far beyond the capabilities of any human hand. The air shimmered as electromagnetic stabilizers held components in place at a subatomic level, preventing the slightest deviation from Erasmus’s schematics.

Theo exhaled sharply, shaking his head. This wasn’t engineering. It was art.

The device was assembling itself faster than his brain could fully process. The entire process, from raw material to near-complete construct, took mere minutes. No wasted motion. No inefficiencies. The sheer speed and perfection of it all sent an unsettling shiver down his spine.

Theo ran a hand through his messy hair, shaking his head with a half-laugh. “Dear god, this is insane. You’re telling me this little gadget’s actually gonna let me see those slippery bitches before they jackhammer me?”

Erasmus didn’t look up from his work. “It’s a tool, not a miracle. You’ll still need to keep up. The implant will highlight movement trajectories, anticipate shifts in airflow, and enhance night vision. With enough time, it could even track predictive movement patterns.”

Theo narrowed his eyes at the glowing display. “That sounds like a certified cheat code and I’m all here for it. Unless it’s paid DLC, actually.”

Erasmus nodded accordingly. “Aye. It’s nothing compared to what I operate with, but it’s the most I could do with the materials on hand. You’re very lucky, actually. My recovery drones only just brought back the Nyxite, which I needed for the cryotherm weave. Otherwise I could only use half the processes without it melting a hole in your head.”

Theo smirked. “Ah… Right. Well that’s good. Because I suck at fighting those god damn shadow ninjas.”

Erasmus didn’t respond immediately, instead flicking his wrist to expand the projection of a delicate lens structure. “Well, you never really stood a chance. I thought this might be the outcome, but I needed to see exactly where your deficiencies lay before I could design an appropriate countermeasure.”

Theo opened his mouth to retort, but the scientist cut him off.

“But,” Erasmus continued, “you do have potential. You have undeniable martial prowess. With the right enhancements, you might live long enough to be more than an amusing footnote in history.”

Theo rolled his eyes. “You’re a real morale booster, you know that?”

“Your morale would be even lower if you were dead.”

Theo leaned back against the table, watching the implant take shape. It wasn’t much bigger than a coin, a small, intricate device that pulsed with faint energy. His fingers hovered over the implant, reluctant. He wasn’t some machine, some system-dependent pawn. But that beating had been a wake-up call—pride didn’t mean much if you were dead. He exhaled through his teeth. Survive now, overthink later.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

His thoughts were interrupted by the distant thump of heavy boots against dirt.

Theo turned his head toward the main entrance of the lab, where Erasmus had set up exterior surveillance feeds. The screens displayed a view of the surrounding landscape—except now, the barren wasteland wasn’t so barren anymore.

Survivors from the tutorials were spilling back into the world, scattered in groups. Some wandered cautiously, weapons drawn. Others were already organizing into clusters, their body language carrying the weight of their experiences. They had been forged in something Theo couldn’t begin to comprehend, and now they were back—stronger, harder, and determined.

Theo let out a low whistle. “I wonder what they went through. I’m glad so many made it but they look like they suffered.”

Erasmus spared a glance at the screens. “Of course they did. The system only rewards those who adapt.” His gaze lingered for a moment longer before he refocused on his work. “Now we see what kind of society they intend to build.”

Theo leaned forward, watching as the scattered humans began to stake claims to different patches of land. Some gravitated toward the riverbanks, likely recognizing the need for water sources. Others eyed the rocky terrain, possibly considering its defensibility. But what truly caught Theo’s attention were the builders.

At first, he didn’t recognize what he was looking at. A few individuals had begun working with whatever crude materials they could gather—stones, wood, ores—but something was off. Their hands moved faster than normal, their motions almost blurred with efficiency. A man dragged an entire wooden beam alone, lifting it as if it were weightless. Another rapidly assembled a frame, his movements impossibly precise.

Theo blinked. “The hell’s going on with them?”

Erasmus’s eyes flicked toward the screen. “Builder classes.”

“Builder what?”

“The system isn’t just combat-oriented,” Erasmus explained, his fingers pausing over his console. “It rewards those who contribute to stability. Certain individuals will have developed construction-oriented enhancements, allowing them to build at speeds far beyond normal human limits. It ensures civilization can form quickly.”

Theo frowned as he watched the settlers construct the first crude structures. A few homes—if they could be called that—were already taking shape. Wooden and stone foundations were being laid in minutes, not days. The landscape, once barren, was changing before his eyes.

“That’s… kinda terrifying,” Theo admitted. “You’re telling me some of these guys woke up one day and just knew how to build houses like they were made of LEGO?”

Erasmus smirked. “More or less. The system provides them with blueprints, skill-assisted craftsmanship, and muscle efficiency. With the right people, entire cities can rise in weeks.”

Theo watched as one of the builders—some stocky guy with arms like tree trunks—lifted an entire support beam onto his shoulder without breaking a sweat. He slammed it into the ground, and the structure around him took shape almost instantly.

It was surreal.

A few meters away, another group had gathered, seemingly debating over leadership. The conversation turned heated, gesturing and pointing escalating into outright shouting.

Theo snorted. “Oh snap, shit’s about to get real with this lot.”

Erasmus didn’t even need to look. “Power struggles. Inevitable.”

Theo leaned closer, grinning as the argument intensified. “I’d say it’s about five minutes from someone getting punched in the face.”

As if on cue, one of the men threw a punch. The fight broke out instantly, people either jumping in or stepping back to watch. Weapons were drawn, but no one swung—yet. Tensions simmered.

Theo laughed. “Called it.”

Erasmus sighed. “Humans are predictably inefficient.”

Theo watched a moment longer before turning back to the implant hovering above Erasmus’s work table. His amusement faded.

For all the excitement outside and his yearning to be a part of it, he wasn’t ready to join them.

Not yet.

His grip tightened around the table’s edge. “How long until that thing’s ready?”

Erasmus didn’t look up. “Soon. Stop being so impatient.”

Theo exhaled through his nose. “I just… I don’t like being defenceless, Raz.”

Erasmus met his gaze, unblinking. “Then fix it.

Theo nodded. The world outside was moving forward. Settlements were forming, hierarchies were taking shape, and people were beginning their new lives. He would not be left behind.