The sun rose behind a haze of broken clouds, casting pale light over the half-repaired RV they now called home.
Lu Zhen sat cross-legged beside the chassis, pieces of steel and polymer floating midair in his HUD. His hands trembled—not from fear, but focus. He wasn't just crafting anymore. He was building a future.
[Material Synthesis: In Progress]Component: Roof Panel + Thermal Coating + Fiber MeshOutput: Reinforced Cabin Shielding (Prototype)Mental Load: ModerateTime Remaining: 3m 21s
Yue crouched nearby, holding a stripped circuit board under the sun, frowning at the rusted terminals.
"This power relay's fried," she muttered. "But we can rewire the solar node if I patch it directly to the converter line."
"I can craft a backup insulator," Lu said, eyes still fixed on the synthesis progress. "If I merge polymer with foil scrap and seal the heat leak."
"Do it. Fast."
The RV—Phoenix Rig Type-07—was coming together slowly. They had patched the exterior windows with salvaged plating. The cabin doors were reinforced with frame steel. The battery casing had been cleaned and installed. But the engine block was still dormant.
And the sky was already turning grey again.
[Blueprint Discovered – Scrap Helmet (Reinforced)]Tier: 1 | Craft Lv.2 RequiredNotes: Protects from impact and debris. Limited visibility.
Lu raised an eyebrow. "I just scanned the old riot vest. Got a helmet pattern."
"Then make one," Yue said. "You'll need it."
[Crafting Initiated – Scrap Helmet (Reinforced)]Estimated Time: 1m 10sEXP Gain: +10Durability: 42%Weight: Light
He worked quickly, merging curved steel with cloth liner and strapping. The HUD showed the outline forming, pixel by pixel. It wasn't elegant—but it would hold.
The moment he finished tightening the strap under his chin, the HUD blared.
[Alert – Proximity Hostile Detected]Type: Humanoid (Mutated)Distance: 46 metersCount: 2Status: Approaching from east side
"Company," Lu said, standing up.
Yue grabbed her blade. "Not infected?"
"No. Bandits, maybe. But not... normal."
They ducked behind the RV, Lu drawing his pistol. Yue crouched with her back to the wheel well.
From beyond the scrap piles, two figures stumbled into view.
Their bodies were vaguely human—lean, gaunt, wrapped in patchwork armor. But their skin was pale, their eyes too wide, teeth sharpened into jagged rows. One carried a cracked axe. The other dragged a long hook on a chain.
[Threat Analysis – Mutated Raiders]Tier: E+Speed: MediumBehavior: Pack-based scavengersNotes: Drawn to smoke, energy signals, and movement.
"They must've seen the solar panel," Lu whispered.
"We're not ready for a fight."
"No," he agreed. "But maybe... we can buy time."
He slid to the back of the RV and tapped into the ignition wires. His HUD blinked.
[Startup Sequence Initiated – Phoenix Rig]Battery: 32%Engine Condition: FaultyFuel Pressure: LowStatus: May operate for 15–30 seconds under strain
"That's all I need."
He turned the key.
The engine coughed—twice—then roared. A plume of black smoke shot out from the back. The sound echoed across the scrapyard like a war cry.
[Drive Mode Sync Available – Compatible Vehicle Detected]Forgemind Protocol recognizes core framework.→ Partial Interface Integration enabled.→ HUD Sync: Vehicle condition, fuel, damage states now accessible.
The raiders hissed and broke into a charge.
"Get in!" Lu shouted.
Yue leapt through the side hatch. Lu threw himself into the driver's seat, HUD syncing with the vehicle dashboard.
The tires screeched. The RV lurched forward—metal screeching, wheels grinding—but it moved.
The raiders were fast. One slammed a hook against the side panel, leaving a dent. The other climbed the rear ladder.
Lu spun the wheel. The RV swung in a wide arc, clipping a stack of rebar and sending the raider flying. Yue kicked the second one off the back door with a grunt, blade flashing.
They made it ten meters. Fifteen. Then the engine sputtered.
[System Warning – Overload Risk]Core Temperature RisingShutdown Imminent
Lu swore and slammed the brakes.
The RV skidded to a halt beside a collapsed cargo crate. Smoke rose from the vents.
"Out!" he barked.
They jumped from the doors, weapons drawn—but the raiders were gone. Either wounded… or unwilling to face a moving target again.
Their tracks disappeared behind the piles of scrap, vanishing like phantoms. No blood trail, no groans, no final scream—just silence. It was as if they had melted back into the ruins.
Yue narrowed her eyes. "They weren't running away. They retreated."
Lu nodded grimly. "They'll be back. And next time, they'll bring more."
Panting, Lu leaned against the hood.
"I froze," Lu said softly.Yue looked at him. "But you didn't run."He gave a tired laugh. "I guess… I care more about this rig than myself now."
He looked at the RV—scorched, battered, but alive.
[Blueprint Update – Modular Interior System (Partial)]→ Crafting Unlocks: Storage Bay, Water Filter Slot, Sleeping Bunk→ Requires: Composite Paneling, Reinforced Hinges, Basic Power Routing
"We've got room now," he said aloud. "I can start storing larger structural sets."
"Good," Yue called from inside. "Because I think this thing has a solar bank tucked under the flooring. If it's intact, we might even have light."
Lu smiled faintly. The old world had left behind enough pieces. All he had to do was reshape them.
As the sun climbed higher, they worked in rhythm. Yue tearing out ruined wiring, Lu laying down reconfigured panels using synthesized bonds. The RV took on new life—slowly shifting from wreckage into a mobile base.
A home. A forge.
"This isn't just a shelter on wheels," Lu said quietly, running a hand across the side.
Yue looked over, her face streaked with dust. "Then what is it?"
He looked at her.
"It's a beginning."
—