Bab 9: Chapter 9: Unveiling the System’s Depths
The next morning, the group rose early, their spirits buoyed by the progress they had made the day before. The cabin was already starting to resemble a fortress rather than a simple woodland retreat. Ethan had mapped out the additional fortifications, and Marcus had identified a few more locations where they could scavenge supplies. But today, Arnold knew, would be different. It was time to push the system further and explore the abilities it had promised him.
After a quick breakfast, Arnold pulled Ethan aside as the others got to work. "I want to test something today," he said, his voice low enough that only Ethan could hear. "Something related to the system."
Ethan, who had become increasingly curious about the system as he saw the strange, almost preternatural accuracy of Arnold's predictions and plans, nodded. "What do you have in mind?"
"The system mentioned a reward for completing our first quest—an advanced defense system blueprint," Arnold explained. "I need your help to figure out how to access and use that reward. You're the engineer; if there's anyone who can make sense of whatever it gives us, it's you."
Ethan's eyes lit up with interest. "An advanced defense system? That could be a game changer. Okay, let's see what you've got."
They moved to a quiet corner of the cabin, away from the others. Arnold mentally summoned the system interface, focusing on the quest that was still in progress. The familiar blue screen appeared before him, detailing the quest and the pending rewards. He could feel Ethan's eyes on him, waiting for some kind of explanation.
"Here goes nothing," Arnold muttered as he selected the option to claim the rewards.
A new notification appeared, and Arnold felt a strange sensation wash over him, as if something was being downloaded directly into his mind. His vision blurred momentarily, and then a detailed schematic of a complex defense system appeared before his eyes—complete with instructions, materials, and even a suggested layout for installation around their base.
Ethan's jaw dropped as he watched Arnold's eyes flicker with data that wasn't there a moment before. "What are you seeing?" Ethan asked, leaning closer.
"It's a blueprint," Arnold said slowly, describing what he was seeing. "It's showing me how to build a defense system—automated turrets, motion sensors, reinforced barriers, the works. And not just basic stuff; this is advanced, way beyond what we have now."
Ethan's excitement was palpable. "Describe it to me. I'll start sketching it out."
Arnold began relaying the details to Ethan, who quickly grabbed a notebook and pencil. As Arnold spoke, Ethan's hands flew across the paper, sketching diagrams, noting materials, and jotting down measurements. The complexity of the design was staggering, far beyond anything a typical engineer would conceive of in a short period of time. But Ethan's sharp mind quickly adapted, and soon they had a rough but clear representation of what the system had provided.
"This is…incredible," Ethan breathed, looking at the completed sketch. "If we can build this, we'll have a fortress that could withstand almost anything. But it's going to take time, and we'll need to gather a lot more resources."
"We don't have much time, but we have to try," Arnold said. "We'll prioritize the critical components first—the barriers and motion sensors. The turrets can come later if we can't get them up in time."
Ethan nodded. "Agreed. I'll need to go over this in more detail, but we can start with the basics today. I'll direct Marcus to help me gather the specific materials we need."
As they rejoined the group, Arnold couldn't shake the feeling of exhilaration. The system had just opened up a new level of possibilities. But with that came a new level of responsibility. The more he unlocked, the more he realized just how much was riding on his ability to navigate this world and the powers he had been given.
He decided it was time to share some of this with the others. They needed to understand that the system wasn't just a vague notion of guidance—it was a tool that could change their fate.
After lunch, Arnold called everyone together in the main room of the cabin. Marcus, who had been busy reinforcing the outer perimeter, wiped sweat from his brow as he joined them. Sarah, having just finished organizing the last of their medical supplies, looked at Arnold curiously, sensing that something important was about to be discussed.
"We need to talk about the system," Arnold began, his tone serious. "Up until now, I've kept most of what it can do to myself, but things are getting more complicated. It's time you all knew what we're dealing with."
Marcus raised an eyebrow. "You mean the thing that's been giving you all these ideas and plans?"
"Exactly," Arnold confirmed. "It's more than just ideas. The system has the ability to grant knowledge, skills, and even enhance our physical capabilities. I've already started seeing some of these benefits myself, and today, it gave me a blueprint for an advanced defense system."
Ethan stepped forward, holding up the sketches they had worked on. "This is what we're going to build," he explained. "Automated defenses that will protect the cabin from intruders, beasts, anything that comes our way. It's unlike anything I've ever seen before, but with Arnold's help, I've got a good grasp on how to start."
Sarah leaned in to get a closer look at the sketches, her eyes widening. "This is incredible…but how does it work? How does the system know how to create something like this?"
"I don't know the full extent of how it works yet," Arnold admitted. "But I do know that it's connected to the future I lived through. It's like it's feeding me the knowledge I need to change that future, piece by piece."
Marcus, who had been quiet up until now, finally spoke. "So, this system…it's like a game, right? With levels, quests, and rewards. But this isn't a game. This is real life."
Arnold nodded. "It is. And that's why we have to be smart about how we use it. The system gives us tools, but it's up to us to make the most of them. We're not just playing for our own lives—we're playing for the future of everyone."
The room fell silent as the weight of Arnold's words sank in. They all understood, on some level, that what they were doing was important. But now, with the knowledge of the system's true potential, that importance felt even greater.
"So what's the next step?" Sarah asked, breaking the silence.
"We start building the defenses," Arnold replied. "And we keep pushing forward. The system is going to give us more opportunities, more challenges, and more ways to prepare. We have to be ready for whatever comes our way."
Ethan nodded, determination clear on his face. "I'll get started on the first phase of construction. We'll need to be precise—every second counts."
"I'll help with the heavy lifting," Marcus added, cracking his knuckles. "And I'll keep an eye out for any trouble while we work."
"And I'll make sure our medical supplies are ready for anything," Sarah said, her voice resolute. "We're going to need all hands on deck when things start to go south."
Arnold looked around at his team—his allies in this fight against the future. They were ready, each in their own way, to take on the challenges that lay ahead. And with the system's help, they had a fighting chance.
As the group dispersed to begin their tasks, Arnold felt a strange mix of emotions—hope, determination, and a flicker of fear. The system had shown him what was possible, but it had also revealed just how much was still unknown. The blueprint was only the beginning, and he knew that as they continued to prepare, the system would unveil more of its secrets.
But for now, he had to focus on the task at hand. The defense system was their first real test—a trial run for everything that was to come. If they could build it, if they could secure their base, then maybe—just maybe—they would have a chance to survive the apocalypse.
And so, as the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the forest, Arnold set to work alongside his team, driven by the knowledge that every moment counted. The future was uncertain, the stakes were high, but they were in this together.
The foundation had been laid, the walls were going up, and the first real battle against the apocalypse had begun.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone