The Fortress Awakens

The journey back to the fortress was slow and tense.

Shen Mu led the way, keeping his senses sharp for any sign of the Crimson Fangs. The weight of Zhao Ling's warning pressed heavily on his mind. If the gang really was hunting survivors in the area, then staying outside any longer was a death sentence.

Luo Qi limped beside him, his injuries slowing him down, but he refused to fall behind. Zhao Ling, on the other hand, moved cautiously, her eyes darting around as if expecting danger at every turn.

The ruined city stretched around them, an endless graveyard of shattered buildings and abandoned vehicles. The occasional growl of mutated beasts echoed from the alleys, but none dared to approach.

They were lucky.

For now.

By the time they arrived at the fortress, it started getting light in the sky. Steel gates stood like giants in the midst of chaos, not letting anything sneak past, and Shen Mu slid towards the control panel hidden beneath a layer of debris and entered the access code.

With a deep metallic groan, the gates slid open slowly.

Inside, the fortress was exactly as he had left it: cold, silent, and secure. The compound was ringed by thick concrete walls topped with rusted barbed wire. Watchtowers marked the corners of the fortress, but they were unstaffed. A grim military bunker had been repurposed as the central building ahead.

Shen Mu ushered them inside and locked the gates once more behind them.

At last, Luo Qi and Zhao Ling seemed to look a little relieved for the first time since they'd met.

"You live here?" Luo Qi asked, glancing around.

Shen Mu didn't answer immediately. He strode toward a nearby storage area, grabbing a few supplies. "It's safe," he finally said, tossing a water bottle to each of them. "For now."

Zhao Ling took hers hesitantly, as if afraid the moment was too good to be true. "This place… It looks military."

"It was," Shen Mu said simply.

Luo Qi took a deep breath and then gulped some water. "You are lucky to have this."

Shen Mu did not believe in luck. He had claimed this fortress as his own after the world was broken, and he had shed his blood on its grounds to fight for its right. Whoever dared to claim it from him would die.

But claiming it wasn't enough.

He had to make it strong.

And that is where he needed the system.

[SYSTEM INTERFACE ACTIVATED]

Shen Mu's mind showed the flickering translucent screen. Since he had woken up the system, he could only open some of its minor features. However, with the threat of Crimson Fang looming ahead, he would have to dig deeper.

There was a new notification in front of him.

[New Fortress Upgrade Options Available]

- Defensive Measures

Reinforce walls

Install automated turrets

Alarm systems.

- Resource Management: Expand food production, purify more water, increase storage.

- Personnel Accommodations: More living quarters, medical stations, and training grounds.

Shen Mu read the list, but he had already run through possible best actions. Defence was a number one priority.

But then his attention was grabbed on something else

A new system had unlocked itself

[SYSTEM GACHA FEATURE ACTIVATED]

Spin to randomly gain upgraded fortifications, weapons, or special plans.

Better rewardable items exist for a steeper fee.

- First spin is free.

A gacha system?

Shen Mu frowned slightly. This could be useful—or it could be a complete waste of resources. But the first spin was free, and he had nothing to lose.

He mentally selected the option.

The screen shifted, revealing a rotating wheel covered in glowing icons—turrets, barriers, energy shields, hidden weapons, and more. The wheel began to spin, colors blurring together in rapid motion.

And then, with a sharp click, it stopped.

A notification popped up.

[Congratulations! You have obtained: Automatic Defense Turrets (x2)]

Shen Mu's lips curled into a faint smirk.

This was exactly what he needed.

UPGRADING THE FORTRESS

He immediately accessed the fortress blueprint through the system, selecting optimal placements for the new defense turrets. The moment he confirmed, a pulse of energy swept through the compound.

Metal panels on the outer walls moved, revealing two hidden compartments. Mechanical arms extended outward, assembling the turrets piece by piece in mere seconds. The once-empty walls were now armed with automatic sentries, their barrels gleaming in the early morning light.

Luo Qi and Zhao Ling stared.

"What the hell…?" Luo Qi whispered, stepping back in shock.

Zhao Ling's mouth opened slightly, her expression unreadable.

Shen Mu said nothing, feigning ignorance of their reactions.

They couldn't know about the system.

Not yet.

He turned away, acting as if nothing had occurred. "The fortress is more secure now."

Luo Qi blinked, still trying to process what he had just witnessed. "More secure? Those things just appeared out of nowhere!"

Shen Mu shot him a sharp glance. "Are you questioning it?"

Luo Qi hesitated. "…No. Just… surprised."

Zhao Ling was quieter. She observed Shen Mu intently, but if she had any doubts, she didn't express them.

Shen Mu changed the subject. "You two should rest. There's food in storage. Weapons if you need them."

Luo Qi exhaled and nodded. "Right… thanks."

Zhao Ling followed silently, but Shen Mu could tell she was thinking hard about what she had just seen.

SYSTEM QUESTS UPDATED

Just when Shen Mu was alone, the interface on the system lit up once again.

[New Quest Unlocked!]

Quest Name: Fortress Expansion

Objective: Expand the fortress with the installation of at least five extra defensive structures.

Rewards: Enhanced Fortress Shield Blueprint, 500 System Points.

Quest Name: Enemy at the Gates

Objective: Wipe out at least five Crimson Fang members before they uncover the fortress.

Rewards: High-Powered Sniper Rifle, 300 System Points.

Shen Mu's expression darkened further.

So, it seemed, the Crimson Fangs were coming.

It was only a matter of time.

He surveyed the newly installed turrets, then again the fortress walls. A good start, but not nearly good enough. He needed more.

More arms. More defenses. More power.

The fortress wasn't just a place to hide.

It would become a stronghold.

A symbol of domination in this new world.

And if the Crimson Fangs wanted a fight?

He would crush them.